Ibalong Resources back in operations

The Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation in Ibalong, Dalaguete town has resumed operations more than a year since it stopped operating after an explosion in December 2005 killed eight of its miners.

Department of Energy Central Visayas director Antonio Labios said the Ibalong Resources was allowed to operate after it complied with the safety standards and employed safety measures to prevent another accident.

Labios said that in September last year, the DOE has granted a permit to Ibalong Resources to resume operating on temporary basis after the company committed to improve its mining operations and follow safety standards.

On September 7, Labios said that Ibalong Resources had a test-run and started operating on September 11.

The firm was also subjected to strict regular monitoring by the DOE to determine if it would be given permanent permit to operate after 45 days of temporary operation.

"During our recent inspection we found out that it has complied with the safety requirements so it was granted permit to operate," Labios said. He added that mine inspectors also noticed no lapses or violation on the part of the company.

To avoid another mine accident in the future, he added that they are regularly inspecting mining sites in the region to make sure they comply with safety requirements and practice safe mining.

DOE has suspended the mining permit of Ibalong Resources after at least eight people were killed when its mining site exploded on December 11, 2005.

Meanwhile, Labios said that mining activities in Adlaon Energy and Development Corporation located in Bala-as, Argao town have not yet resumed as its permit is still under suspension.

According to Labios, his office is still waiting for the company to comply with all the safety requirements before it would be allowed to operate again.

The explosion in Adlaon mining site happened in October last year that killed one miner and injured at least three others.

Investigations by the DOE revealed that the explosions at the two mining sites were caused by the high presence of methane gas. - Wenna A. Berondo