A team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), National Bureau of Investigation and National Prosecution Service recently conducted follow-up field inspections and inventory of seized minerals, equipment and mining-related structures and implements in known illegal mining hotspots. This sustained effort is part of the government's continuing campaign against illegal mining.

Said operation was conducted in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Joint Department of Justice-Department of Interior and Local Government-Department of Environment and Natural Resources Fact-Finding Committee (FFC) on Illegal Mining.

On August 26-28, 2015, the said team conducted inspections and inventory in previous illegal mining hotspots in Ilocos Sur that were stopped during the "Operation Bagnet" in 2013 through the leadership of the FFC.

The inspection also covered the reported illegal operation involving black sand dredging and processing in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur resulting in the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order by the MGB Regional Office No. I against the mineral processing operation in the area on September 1, 2015.

The field inspections and inventory are part of the monitoring of the status of former illegal mining sites, seize and confiscated minerals, equipment and implements, and dismantled mineral processing structures.

For this year, the collaborative effort has accomplished field inspections and inventory in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Masbate, Davao Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Pampanga, Zambales, Pangasinan, and Camarines Norte.

The FFC team inspecting the dredging operation
and mineral processing plant in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur

By: Mining Technology Division