|
Thursday, June 12, 2003
DENR says no mercury used at Curuan mines
By Letty Militante
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has concluded that miners at Sitio Mina, Curuan are not using mercury in the process of extracting gold in their mining operations.
The explanation came following reports that five hectares of Riceland in Curuan were destroyed by mercury-contaminated water coming from the mining area.
DENR Executive Regional Director Samuel Penafiel said they already took water samples from the mining area.
Penafiel said an initial check of the water sample show that the mining company does not use chemicals as the operators only use water and air pressure to separate ore and gold.
No mention was made as to who is running the mining firm although unconfirmed reports say some Koreans and Filipino co-investors are digging gold vat the mining concession area.
The DENR director clarified that his office has not issued any commercial mining permit to the company and will thus issue a cease-and-desist order to the company.
Mayor Maria Clara L. Lobregat asked the DENR and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Monday to check the alleged use of mercury by mining workers at Mina.
Bureau of Mines Officer-in-charge Joaquin Soriano, for his part, said a case-and-desist order will be issued against operators of the mine.
Curuan, specifically Sitio Mina, is a gold mining area and has been such since the American regime in the 1930s.
Former workers of the American company that operated the mines before World War II said the facilities there were complete to the point that gold mined in the area could be converted into brick sized ingots before these are shipped outside the city.
Information available also showed that the mine was abandoned in the early 1970s and that it is only recently that foreigners reportedly took over operations of the mine.
Soriano also said the company does not used mercury to separate or extract gold from sand.
"I have not seen them using mercury," Soriano added.
He also said that mining operations should be supported by resolutions from the Barangay Council and the City Council.
(June 11, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
