DENR head looks into illegal mining activities in Nueva Vizcaya

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo T. Reyes is scheduled to visit Barangay Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya to look into the illegal small-scale mining operation in the area which is endangering the lives of its residents especially those directly exposed to mercury-contaminated water in the Didipio River.

Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma who made the invitation to Reyes, said the secretary "will see for himself the mining operation’s adverse consequences on the people and the environment."

The illegal mining operations, she said, "is not only threatening the health of our residents but also our rivers and forests."

Penro Apigo, DENR provincial officer, said families in the affected area are facing grave danger. "Delikado talaga ang kanilang kalagayan lalu pa nga’t sa ilog din d’on sila naliligo at kumukuha ng inumin. This is dangerous and hazardous to their health," he said.

The human intake of mercury-containing water or fish, accumulated over time, can impair a person’s ability to feel, see, move and taste, and it may even lead to death.

An Australian Philippines Mining, Inc. (APMI) official said illegal small-scale miners in Didipio use mercury to extract gold from ores. "After grinding the mineral-containing ores, they used mercury to separate the gold. Vaporizing mercury, a metallic liquid, in the heating process is dangerous to health," he said.

The Didipio mining project of APMI, a 100- percent owned Philippine subsidiary of Climax Mining Ltd. of Australia, is set to start construction by September this year and begin mineral production one year after.

Employment from the project is seen at + 1500 during construction and development, +500 during commercial operation and 3,000 indirect employment created due to the employment multiplier.

APMI allocates for social development programs a total of $2.8 million and for environmental programs, $8.6 million. Projected total government taxes and fees is placed at $131 million.