More small-scale mining contracts to be awarded-PMRB

May 6, 2019 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) expressed optimism that more Small-Scale Mining Contracts (SMMC) will be approved in areas declared as Minahang Bayan (MB) in this upland province.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Cordillera regional director and PMRBBenguet chairman Faye Apil said that at least eight (8) more small-scale mining contracts will be approved pending completion of the necessary requirements by small-scale mining groups.
Apil also said that there are currently 12 pending minahang bayan applications spread in the municipalities of Apayao, Bakun,Tuba and Itogon whose associations are members of Benguet Federation of Small- Scale Mining, Inc. (BFSSM).
Benguet PMRB recenlty made a historic decision after it approved the small-scale mining contract of Loacan-Itogon Pocket Miners Association (LIPMA).
In January this year, PMRB Benguet passed a resolution declaring some 64.6486 hectares in Barangay Loacan (Itogon) as minahang bayan applied by LIPMA.
Apil said that only 15 hectares will be used by LIPMA for mining operation and processing.
In effect, the MGB official said that LIPMA still has to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) before conducting mining operation.
LIPMA’s mining contract is the first in the struggle of small-scale miners in Cordillera, numbering to about 40,586. Meanwhile, BFSSM president Lomino Kaniteng moved for the approval of LIPMA’s mining contract during the recent PMRB meeting.
Benguet Provincial Administrator Noel Ngolob, who represented Gov. Crescencio Pacalso, said the mining contract awarded to LIPMA is a welcome development that will sustain economic livelihood of pocket miners and their families.

Primo Agatep/ABN