Mining seminar on

Saturday, June 11, 2011

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Mining issues will be in focus.

A mining seminar dubbed as, “Mining 101” will be open for journalists this weekend at Mt. Data hotel.

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The seminar is a joint project of the Benguet Press Corps and Gold Fields Inc. in cooperation with the Mining and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource.

The seminar aims to enhance the writing and reporting skills of the practicing journalist by understanding the present laws covering the mining industry.

Talks by representatives from the MGB-CAR as well as Mankayan officials and Gold Fields Inc will be part of the weekend activities.

Recently, Ifugao congressman Teddy Baguilat called on President Benigno Aquino to call a mining moratorium.

Baguilat addressed mining woes in the region and how it has affected the environment and the surrounding communities.

Baguilat said aside from the conflicts, mining also causes food insecurity to affected communities and has caused the destruction of their pristine forests and agricultural lands.
The move to put a halt in mining in the region has been made in the name of the environment and peace, advocates say the root of unrest is in the mining business but some clamor that the industry has been a steady backbone for the economy.

As of 2009, the mining industry here contributes exports amounting to $220,695,002 with government earning amounting to P714,699,856 including excise tax, national and local impositions, occupational and extraction fees.

DENR officials tagged the moratorium as a disadvantage to the minerals sector.