Illegal black sand mines in Cagayan dismantled

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) resumed early this week their operations against illegal black sand mining along Cagayan’s northern coastlines.

Mario Ancheta, MGB-Cagayan Valley director, yesterday said joint NBI-MGB operatives have been in the coastal town of Buguey since Tuesday to dismantle all black sand mines in the area.

“I have issued cease-and-desist orders on all mining companies found operating within the 200-meter prohibited zone from the shorelines,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ancheta said charges have been filed against 18 Chinese nationals who NBI-MGB operatives rounded up earlier this month for allegedly engaging in illegal extraction of black sand along the coast of Aparri in Cagayan.

“They are now facing charges for violation of the 1995 Mining Act, particularly theft of minerals,” he said.

The foreign nationals were working with Huaxia Trading and Mining Corp., which the MGB earlier had ordered to stop operating in Aparri after it was found operating beyond its permitted area or within the prohibited zone.

Eva Antiporda, alien control officer of the Bureau of Immigration-Aparri district, said they have released the 18 Chinese to their company under recognizance while facing the charges filed against them before the Cagayan prosecutor’s office.