GOLD processing of stockpiles will resume in Benguet after the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) gave a green light through a temporary processing permit for different small-scale mining associations to process their ore stockpiles for 30 days.
The association was also tasked to police their own ranks for any violation while being aware that their minahang bayan is not yet approved, ssaid PMRB Chair Fay Apil on Monday, October 29, following a hearing of minahang bayan applications.
"We have given them 30 days for them to process their ore stockpiles, before the operation of the Task Force Itogon. Only stockpiles allowed to be processed through ball milling no use of chemicals, CIP/CIL," she said.
On October 29, temporary processing permits were given to legitimate members of small-scale mining association. The permits are effective November 1 because of Typhoon Rosita.
Apil said that after the 30 days lapsed, the association may apply for extension if there still remaining stockpiles to be processed.
"Case to case basis depending on the amount of stockpiles," she said.
Daniel Pay-an, board of director and spokesperson of Luneta Itogon Pocket Miners Association, said more than 100 processors will start on November 1.
Apil said they have also request the aid of the Philippine National Police, by virtue of deputation order in the implementation of Republic Act 7076, to help monitor in the condition of the temporary processing permit, which indicates no use of chemicals, indiscriminate dumping of tailings, and for them to observe the 30 days.
While the application of minahang bayan is being processed, the processing of gold ores was granted in view of the earlier appeals of the small-scale miners to Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu as it is their source of livelihood.