Members of the Secretariat of the Joint Fact Finding Committee (FFC) on Illegal Mining composed of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were given a two-day familiarization workshop by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in line with the capability building of the FFC to further enhance its efficiency as anti-illegal mining enforcers.

The 14 participants were composed of representatives from the Central Offices of the DOJ, DILG and the National Prosecutors Service who take part in the various operations against illegal mining nationwide.

The workshop topics and discussants were: 1) Mining and Transport Permits issued by the MGB, by Engr. Edgar Castillo; 2) Basic Mineral Identification Techniques, by Mr. Raymond Thadeus Ancog and Ms. Ma. Lourdes Stephanie Leido; and 3) Identification of Commonly Transported Minerals/Ores/Concentrates, by Engr. Juancho Pablo Calvez.

The participants were also given a tour around the MGB Metallurgical Laboratory to actually observe some basic mineral processing methods.  On-the-spot lectures about the various rocks and minerals on display at the MGB Rock Museum were also given.

Said workshop was conducted last May 26 to 27 at the MGB Compound in North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.  Last April, 38 officers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were also given a similar seminar-workshop at the PCG office in Intramuros, Manila.

Participants observe the actual demonstration of some mineral processing methods at the MGB Metallurgical Laboratory.

By: Mining Technology Division