MGB shuts down 15 stone processing plants

CEBU, Philippines - Fifteen Mactan Stone slicing and processing plant operators in Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova have been issued Cease and Desist Order by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau for lack of necessary permits.

MGB-7 director Loreto B. Alburo, in a statement, said these operators were found to have been operating without permits during the inventory they recently conducted.

Among the operators that were issued CDO are Julito Villanueva of Towerstones Enterprises, Arturo Sanchez of Mactan Art Stone, Coast Pacific Manufacturing Corporation, Francis Cardenas of Madeka Stone Development Enterprises, Solid Stone Center Corporation, Raymond Lacson of ELG Incorporated, Dante Fiel, Joveniano Perez, Ria Cabilino, Nilda Baring, Vicente Sala, Lemuel Rubi, Jocelyn Connely of EMATA Exports, Emma Alfon and Virgilio Darnayla.

These operators are mostly located in Pajac and Basak, Lapulapu City and Cogon and Ibabao, Cordova.

Based on the MGB-7 records, these operators were not issued Mineral Processing Permit. They were likewise not issued quarry permit by the respective local government unit.

Alburo said that no person shall engage in the processing of minerals without MPP and other permits.

Alburo emphasized that mining activities must always be guided by current best practices in environmental management with due and emphasis on economic and environmental considerations, as well as for health and safety concerns.

Mineral processing includes milling, beneficiation, leaching, smelting, cyanidation, calcinations or upgrading of ores, minerals, rocks, mill tailings, mine waste and or other metallurgical by-products or by similar means to convert the same into marketable products.

A joint investigation team of MGB-7 and Lapulapu City government will be constituted to conduct another round of inventory and to check the compliance of these operators as contained in the CDOs.

Mactan stones are special type of stones which are used for tiles, slabs, and other pieces of furniture. Finished products derived from the said stone are mostly exported.   - (THE FREEMAN)