|
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
|
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY The
year even started with a need for government to provide direction in
revitalizing the minerals industry as a strategy to alleviate poverty
and spur development in the countryside.
The proposed National Minerals Policy would provide the framework
for responsible mineral development but encountered rough sailing with
the stakeholders. However, with no less than the President spelling out
her support for mineral development that is economically,
environmentally and socially responsible, the direction has been set.
Currently,
small-scale mining has been the bulk of the mining development in the
region accounting for a total sales value of P6.42 M mostly from sand
and gravel, aggregates, limestone and clay. Gold
production from gold rush areas remained unaccounted for existing only
as an informal sector of the industry but this is being addressed thru a
memorandum of agreement by and among the claimowners, landowners,
small-scale miners and local government units. Only the gold production
from Johson Mining Corporation in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte was
reported accounting for a sales value of P12.2M with silver combined.
The quarry and cement plant production in Camalig, Albay produced
limestone and shale with a sales value of P1.76M even while the project
suffered production breakdown from a labor problem this last quarter of
the year. Due
diligence work is being undertaken by certain investors for the possible
opening of the mining projects of Filminera Resources Corporation, which
was formerly the Atlas Mine in Masbate and that of United Paragon Mining
Corporation in Paracale, Camarines Norte where operations is currently
suspended. The
Office has been facilitating mining applications while at the same time
cleansing inactive applications. It has diligently imposed the 3-letter
notice to applicants resulting in the rejection of 15 APSA’s. From a
high of 308 applicants, almost half have been cleansed. Compliance
monitoring of permit holders on their exploration, mining and
environmental work programs was regularly conducted and feedback was
given to these permittees on the findings made. Multi-sectoral approach
was implemented with NGO’s, PO’s and LGU’s joining the monitoring
work. The sincerity and credibility of the government in imposing rules
is slowly gaining headway with the local people. Generally,
the mood of industry is more or less upbeat and all eyes are focused on
the Rapu-Rapu project. Aside
from regulating the mining industry, the Office has embarked on
geo-scientific initiatives such as mineral exploration, hydrogeological
survey, coastal assessment, geohazard assessment, assessment of solid
waste disposal sites the studies of which are furnished the concerned
LGU’s. Such information can be inputs to their land use plans. The
information can now be browsed in the Internet with the installation of
the office’s website: www.mgb5.net. All
the above activities were very satisfactorily accomplished utilizing its
manpower of 67 personnel, and a budget of P18.8M. |
||||
