'Child labor rampant in small-scale mining'

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Large-scale mining operations are the only way to solve the alarming child labor problems in illegal small-scale mining activities in the country, according to the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines during a gathering of business groups held here last week.

“It makes business sense to support large-scale mining operations since they are heavily regulated compared to small-scale mining activities,” lawyer Menjie Redelosa, chairman of the JCI Philippines’ committee on responsible mining, told the local media.

Redelosa said, “Child labor in communities where there are illegal small-scale mining activities are rampant because the locals look at these activities as opportunities to improve their lives.”

“In areas operated by large-scale mining companies, there are scholarships, livelihood assistance, and of course, the mining companies are bound by our labor laws,” Redelosa said.

“In South Cotabato, we need to handle the proposed Tampakan mining project efficiently or it may turn into another area for illegal small-scale mining operators,” Redelosa said.

“Large mining companies are heavily monitored for their compliance on safety, labor laws and environmental regulations and even their corporate social responsibility commitments are heavily regulated,” Redelosa added.

Redelosa said Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), for instance, has invested in scholarships, health, and basic education to ensure that the locals have an alternative to toiling at small-scale mining activities already occurring in the area.”

Redelosa cited the sad experience in Canatuan, Zamboanga del Norte “where workers are exposed to unsafe working conditions.”

Redelosa, however, clarified that they are open to supporting small-scale mining operations or “minahan ng bayan” or mineral reservations “as long as these operations behave like large-scale mining companies in complying with the law.”

“Any mining activity, small or large, should be responsible, otherwise we will have to pay dearly for impacts on the community and the environment,” Redelosa said.