GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has ordered the temporary stoppage of small-scale mining operations at a portion of a gold rush site in T’boli town due to safety concerns.
The order was issued by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) following a landslide last month that affected mine tunnels at sitio Tunnel in Barangay Kematu.
South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, who chairs the PMRB, said Wednesday the temporary stoppage covers at least 12 mine tunnels situated near a mountain that was hit by a major landslide last July 18.
“The stoppage order will remain in effect until we deem the area safe for mining operations,” she said.
The affected tunnels are the Ling-Lin Tunnel operated by permittees Michelle/Jorito Balonga; UG Tunnel of Isagane Gane; Maligaya Tunnel of Esther Gane;Yana Tunnel of Beverly Maguan; GMD Tunnel of Jaime Degorio; Jack Pot Tunnel of Amado Martinez; Maguan Tunnel of Grace Maguan; New Open Tunnel of Jesus Casensia; Dyesebel Tunnel of Rino Adilan; Scud Tunnel of Lito Huela; Lanado Tunnel of Shiela Lanado; and Abel Tunnel of Alcaba Adel.
The governor said the PMRB issued the order based on recommendation made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 12, Provincial Environment Management office (Pemo) and the T’boli Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office.
She said a team from the three offices had conducted site investigation and assessment regarding the impact of the landslide.
Along with the stoppage order, the governor directed the affected mining operators to submit emergency response and preparedness plans for their tunnels and operations.
Siegfred Flaviano, Pemo head, said these plans will serve as basis whether the closed mining tunnels would be allowed to resume their operations.
“We will evaluate these plans thoroughly and if we find them sufficient, then we can recommend the reopening of the tunnels,” he said.
The official said they have tapped the provincial and the T’boli municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices to assist the affected mining operators in the crafting of the emergency response and preparedness plans.
A number of landslides were recorded these past years near and within the small-scale mine tunnels in Kematu and portions of neighboring Barangay Desawo that claimed the lives of several workers.
MGB-12 had listed portions of these villages as high-risk areas to landslides, especially during the rainy season.
To address the problem, the Pemo and MGB-12 have been closely monitoring the mining operations in T’boli and have been conducting regular inspections, especially on the implementation of various safety regulations and standards at the mine tunnels.(AVE/PNA)
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