MGB: No violation of mining law in black sand extraction in Lingayen

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – If there will be selling of the black sand extracted from an area where an 18-hole golf course is being developed here, it does not violate any mining law.

Based on the clarification of issues made by Mines and Geosciences Bureau regional director Carlos Tayag, the provincial government is cleared from any legal liability on the controversial black sand extraction.

“If the black sand has a commercial value, then the provincial government can sell it,” Tayag said when asked by the media about the issue.

He said the extraction of the magnetite or black sand was necessary because turf grass would not grow with its presence in the golf course area.

“It is difficult to develop vegetation so the purpose of the magnetite extraction was just to separate it from the soil,” Tayag said.

He pointed out that since the extracted magnetite sand has no use in the project, the “option is to sell it to interested buyers if it has a commercial value.”

“Why not maximize the use of magnetite?” Tayag said during the forum arranged by his office last Nov. 29 at the YMCA building in Dagupan City.

With regards to inquiries on what permit should the government grant to the project, Tayag said they have recommended a government gratuitous permit which is free as long as it is for a government project.

Tayag also noted that the environmental compliance certificate, which the provincial government applied for, will already cover the whole of the eco-tourism project.

The MGB regional office has called on the media through the forum to ask for their support to help them in informing the people of what they are doing to implement responsible mining.

Raul Collado, officer-in-charge of the bureau’s mines management office, said the media is the best instrument in providing information to people.