The Mining Technology Division (MTD) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central Office, in collaboration with Planet Gold Philippines, conducted a workshop of the Amendment of Republic Act (RA) No. 7076 or the  "People's Small-Scale Mining (SSM) Act of 1991" last 23-26 May 2023 at Linden Suites Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

The workshop aims to improve the current law on small-scale mining to promote, develop, protect and rationalize viable small-scale mining activities in order to generate more employment opportunities and provide an equitable sharing of the nation's wealth and natural resources, giving due regard to existing rights.

Among the key officials present during the workshop were Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns, Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng, MGB OIC-Director, Engr. Theodore Rommel E. Pestaño, OIC-Chief of the MGB-MTD, Ms. Abigail Ocate, National Project Manager, Artisanal Gold Council (AGC), Mr. Gil Indino, Chairman, National Coalition of Small Scale Miners in the Philippines (NCSSMP), and Ms. Arleen Honrade, Secretary, NCSSMP.

In his opening remarks, Atty. Uykieng encouraged the participants to bear in mind that “the amended law should be timely & applicable to small-scale miners and aligned with the laws to environmental protection & indigenous people’s rights, leading to the establishment of the National Small Scale Mining Program.”

The workshop was participated by the technical personnel from all MGB Regional Offices and MGB Central Office via face-to-face mode. The Artisanal Gold Council and National Coalition of Small Scale Miners in the Philippines provided their comments and recommendations on the proposed amendment of the SSM Act of 1991 through a presentation to the participants, seeking consideration on their proposed amendments in the law based on the current situation of the SSM industry.

The activity was conducted in a plenary style where each Section of RA 7076 was comprehensively reviewed and discussed by the regional offices and MGB Central Office divisions, sharing their real-life experiences based on the regulation of the small-scale mining industry.

At the end of the workshop, Asec. Caguioa emphasized that the “policies that govern the small-scale mining sector are critical in the promotion of advocacy towards responsible mining and helping the economic recovery” and the revision of the SSM Act is truly vital in uplifting the small-scale mining industry in the country.

The comments and recommendations from the workshop will be consolidated by the MGB-MTD for onward submission to the Policy Technical Working Group for further review.

By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division