Disaster seen from unregulated small-scale mining in Quirino

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IN PHOTO -- Armed with a mechanical backhoe digger, an illegal small-scale miner attacks the slopes of the Dinkidi Hill in Didipio indiscriminately hitting portions of a tree plantation developed by OceanaGold Philippines as part of its advance rehabilitation program.
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Disaster seen from unregulated small-scale mining in Quirino




MADDELA, Quirino—A former governor of this province has called for the complete stop of all small-scale mining activities in this province, calling their operations illegal, destructive to the environment, and inimical to the interests of local residents.

Former Quirino Gov. Pedro Bacani condemned all small-scale mining activities at the Didipio mining impact zone, particularly on the slopes of Dinkidi Hill, host to the OceanaGold Philippines gold-copper project that straddles the boundaries of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.

“These people do not have permits. We cannot tolerate these unregulated mining activities,” he said. “Besides, these people do not pay taxes and they indiscriminately create soil tears that lead to large-scale erosion and landslides, especially during the rainy season,” Bacani said.

“Because the nomadic miners do not observe government rules and regulations in their operations, they are unwittingly exposing themselves to certain danger as well as those living at the immediate impact zone and those residing downstream [Nagtipunan, Cabarroguis and Aglipay towns in Quirino] where floodwaters will meet in rampaging wrath,” said Bacani.

Illegal mining-related deaths have been reported recently and in the past.

An investigative team from the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) that conducted water testing from tributaries of the Didipio river network, declared the presence of mercury in the upland river system.

The NVSU report was further confirmed by the National Science Research Institute at the University of the Philippines. The water samples of one liter each from Camgat and Didipio Rivers positively yielded mercury at an average concentration approximately twice the tolerable levels.

“As a result, the water from Camgat and Didipio Rivers is not safe for human consumption. The color of the water is murky brown probably due to suspended materials. Dissolved oxygen is too low which prevents plankton and algae [which serve as fish food] from reproducing,” explained Elmer Castañeto, head of the research team.

“Inland fishing used to be an easy source of income, but today, there are no more clean waters to fish from. Mercury is highly-toxic even in small amount,” he said.

Blood samples, too, taken from Didipio residents examined at St. Luke’s Medical Center were proven mercury positive.

“With the result of our survey positively yielding the dreadful mercury, this is scary enough for everybody to be aware about the dangers it may impose to one’s life,” warned NVSU president Marilou Gilo Abon.

Alarmed by the mercury pollution report, Department of Environment and Natural resources Sec. Lito Atienza assured that his department will strictly implement all rules and regulations against the pollution of the environment in mining activities.

“We are committed in promoting clean and healthy environment at the same time protecting the country’s natural resources from undue exploitation,” Atienza said.

Prompted by the survey’s alarming results, with emphasis on the mercury contamination of the surrounding waters, the NVSU probe team conducted a mining advocacy at the Didipio Elementary School for local residents, students and promine as well as anti-mine advocates.

During the forum, the residents immediately pointed fingers to small-scale miners operating without permit in the area as the culprits to the mercury contamination.

Traditionally, small-scale miners use mercury to extract gold with the aid of water which is indiscriminately drained into nearby rivers.

Vaporizing metallic liquid mercury in the heating process is very dangerous to human health. Once mercury is inhaled, this goes to the lungs and 80 percent of what is inhaled is retained by the body, dissolved in fatty tissue, and can damage the central nervous system. Mercury exposure causes damage to the kidney, cardiovascular and immunological system, brain, spinal cord and liver.

Human intake of mercury-containing fish, accumulated over time, can impair a person’s ability to feel, see, move and taste; and causes numbness, tunnel vision, and leads eventually to coma, and death. Mercury intake by pregnant women can cause disorders in the mother and the unborn child.

The hunt for gold in remote parts of Luzon has gone on for many years. But this has intensified of late with higher gold prices which have recently exceeded $1,000 per ounce. As more small-scale miners begin showing up in communities in hopes of striking it rich, additional pressure is placed on community infrastructure and the presence of widespread environmental damage is on the increase.





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