Cimatu orders suspension of small-scale mining activities in CAR

September 17, 2018

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered on Monday the suspension of all small-scale mining activities, including the revocation of temporary contracts to 10 small-scale mining associations, in Cordillera Administrative Region following the deadly landslides due to Typhoon "Ompong" over the weekend.

As of 6am on Monday, 54 people have died in CAR mostly due to landslides, while 49 others were missing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a joint press briefing in Itogon, Benguet, quoting the data of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

"So in view of this current situation, in the Cordillera’s, to prevent further danger to the lives of our small-scale miners, I officially order cease and desist of all illegal small-scale mining operations in the whole of Cordillera Administrative Region. At present there are existing applications for Minahang Bayan in some areas of the region, while we await for the approval and proclamation of these applications we asked our small-scale miners to cooperate and stop all small-scale mining activities here," Cimatu said.

According to an official of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Cordillera, there were 10 associations, which were given temporary small-scale mining contracts.

Because of the landslides and the high number of fatalities, Cimatu said, "by virtue of what happened, I'm revoking those permits effective today."

In a text message, Cimatu said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources might file charges against those who would defy his cease and desist orders.

"They could be charged with mining without permit or theft of minerals," he said.

Also in the press briefing, Cimatu said the DENR would be sending men from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to effect the stoppage of all mining activities, especially in Itogon.

Roque assured that the government would extend assistance to those who would be displaced due to the suspension of mining activities. Celerina Monte/DMS