Sunday, August 15, 2004 De Oro miners given more time to pack up By Ben O. Tesiorna
AUTHORITIES plan to give ample time for the small-scale miners in Monte de Oro to comply with the temporary stoppage order on mining operations imposed by the national government since July 26.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau 11 mining operations officer Edilberto Arreza admitted that violations on the stoppage order continue.
He also confirmed that instead of stopping their operations, some miners are even expanding mining activities in areas near Monte de Oro.
Last Thursday, Army's 60th Infantry Battalion commander Col. Edgardo Gonzales revealed that the small miners had expanded their mining operation in Dasuran, Mabini that is adjacent to Mt. De Oro.
Arreza said they would visit the Dasuran area in Mabini, Compostela Valley anytime soon to check on the mining operation there.
He added that as much as possible they are giving the miners enough opportunity to legalize and put order into their operation.
"Pero sana not to the extent na ginagawa nang tanga ang gobyerno. Harap-harapang violation na ang ginagawa ng mga miners pero wala pa ring aksyon ang ating mga otoridad. Para ano pa at nag-implement sila ng stoppage order sa Monte de Oro tapos di rin naman pala susundin ng mga minero," a government official however retorted.
It was learned that despite all the checkpoints by the police and military authorities in Monte de Oro, people continue to flock at the gold rush site defeating the objective of the stoppage order to minimize the presence of people in the area due to the high possibility of a landslide in the area.
From 6,000 people the population in Mt. De Oro reportedly rose to about 10,000.
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