An investigation into the reported manganese mining operations in Brgy. Telim, Calatrava will be started today by the Defend Patrimony Northern Negros.

The group said in a statement to the DAILY STAR that the environmental investigative mission was prompted by the request of residents to Msgr. Flor Baynosa, parish priest of Calatrava, to assist them in their protest against the mining operations.

They said that although their initial inquiry with the Mines and Geoscience Bureau 6 office showed there is no pending mining application in the area, they have learned that a small-scale mining activity, covering 20 hectares is being operated by the Rigor family with the approval of the Provincial Environmental Management Office. Defend Patrimony said that manganese is an important alloy in steel production and manganese bronze, which resists corrosion from seawater, is used for propeller blades on boats and torpedoes.

They said that the faster approval of mining applications under the Arroyo administration is liberalizing the regulatory role of the government at the expense of environment and dislocating the farmers and settlers in the countrysides.

The group said the EIM will investigate the environmental and social impact of the manganese mining in Brgy. Telim, including the process in the granting of permit.

This may lead to the entry of large-scale mining in northern Negros, they added in the statement.*

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