Camarines Norte - The planetGOLD Philippines Project Team, in partnership with the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB), spearheaded a two-part workshop last February 28 to March 1, 2022 on the Minamata Convention and Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals in Paracale, Camarines Norte. Over 40 participants from the regional offices of national government agencies, provincial and municipal local government units and small-scale mining (SSM) associations in the area attended the said workshop.
The first part of the workshop aimed to increase the knowledge and awareness of the local government representatives and the small-scale miners on the country’s commitment and obligations to the Minamata Convention. The Minamata Convention is an international treaty signed on October 10, 2013, aims to eliminate the use of mercury to protect human health and the environment from its harmful effects. In the Philippines, the SSM communities are still using mercury to extract gold from ores through the Cyanidation process.
In the recent contextual study conducted by the planetGOLD Philippines, 96% of the respondents involved in ore processing in Paracale, Camarines Norte admitted the use of mercury to recover gold.
“The small-scale miners who were using mercury to recover gold are facing high risk of getting diseases caused by the chemical, through direct contact and/or by its derivatives, as well as their families and the entire community. It is desired for the SSM community to operate formally and responsibly by adopting alternative clean technologies. This way, the adverse effects to human health and the environment can be prevented,” said Sarah Marie Aviado, National Project Manager of planetGOLD Philippines.
On the other hand, the second part of the workshop focused on the implementation and monitoring of due diligence procedures toward environmentally and socially responsible operations. A presentation of the CRAFT Code planetGOLD Version was also held to introduce modules inclusive of OECD risks and the planetGOLD-specific criterias: elimination of mercury in the mining process, respecting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and minimizing the impact on biodiversity. The activity provided also a venue for participants to discuss the legal requirements, risk levels, mitigation and/or preventive plans, and the available assistance from relevant government offices.
The resource speakers during the workshop ably represented the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) -Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office (CO) and Region V, the Environmental Management Bureau Region V, the Rural Health Unit of Paracale, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-Mint and Refinery Operations Department and Naga Gold Buying Station who shared their expertise on the topics. The Mining Technology Division of the MGB-CO provided the technical assistance and served institutional Secretariat on the part of the DENR.
planetGOLD- Global Opportunities for the Long-term Development of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining sector
CRAFT Code- Code of Risk-mitigation for Artisanal and small-scale miners engaging in Formal Trade
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About Mines and Geosciences Bureau
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau is the primary government agency under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country's mineral resources including those in reservations and lands of public domain.
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About planetGOLD Philippines
The planetGOLD Philippines project is working toward eliminating mercury in the artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector by using a bottom-up approach, working with the national government and local communities. It envisions an enabling environment for a formalized ASGM sector that enhances community development, improves productivity, and eliminates the use of mercury.
https://www.planetgold.org/philippines | https://www.facebook.com/pGOLDphilippines