Government gets first Diwalwal share

DAVAO CITY — The government has finally received its first share of gold ore produced at Mt. Diwalwal since the gold-rush site was placed under its control last Sept. 5.

Under the new sharing scheme, the government gets 15 percent of production from the mining operations, while small-scale miners receive the rest.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has given out 18 service contracts, benefiting 4,500 small-scale miners. At least four tunnels and mining portals have been reopened since Sept. 5.

"So far, as of Sept. 19, the government has collected 141 bags of gold ore as its share in the new operations. The gold ore still has to be processed," said Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 11 chief Ma. Luisa Jacinto.

The National Resources Development Corp., which oversees the mining operations, earlier said the government could earn at least P120,000 daily under the new sharing scheme. — Edith Regalado