Small-scale mining pose risks to 3 Camarines towns

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified the towns of Labo, Paracale and Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte as vulnerable to soil liquefaction and that extreme weather conditions may cause an environmental disaster there due to small-scale mining.

Extensive mining operations over the years in these areas have produced sinkholes, and the problem is compounded by crisscrossing tunnels and abandoned mine pits. Environmental authorities are now mulling an inventory of the tunnels, which are 100 meters long and 25 meters deep.

“Extensive excavation could weaken the structure and earthquakes and extreme weather conditions like prolonged rainfall might trigger an environmental collapse,” Gilbert Gonzales, Bicol regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said.

“There are a number of hazards we can expect from an earthquake and prolonged rainfall if the geologic structure is not stable,” he said.  

Gonzales suggested an assessment of the risks that climate change could bring to the three towns as well as technical assistance to rehabilitate the abandoned mines.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau is providing technical assistance to the Provincial Mines and Regulatory Board such as safety evaluation, economic potential, capability development, and evaluation of small-scale mining projects for approval by the governor.

Gonzales said small-scale mining operations in Paracale town where three miners died last Nov. 20 when the mineshaft collapsed after a dynamite explosion can be legalized under the “Minahan ng Bayan.”  

There are reports that local officials operate or finance small-scale mining activities in their localities.