The operation of Silica mining in Maaslum, Ayungon, Oriental Negros, was stopped and its offices closed on Monday, on orders of Gov. George Arnaiz, believed triggered by environmental concerns and hazards raised by local residents and barangay officials.

The governor acted after conducting a thorough investigation to prevent a scenario like that of St. Bernard in southern Leyte.

Once mitigating measures are in place, Arnaiz said, he may recommend the resumption of its operation.

The Silica mining operation is undertaken by Goodyield Resources Development Inc. through the claimants, the heirs of Arturo Zayco Jr. after complying with all the requirements under the mining law, and after it obtained an environmental compliance certificate.

Arnaiz said, "It is a delicate art of balancing between the environmental concerns, the income of local government units concerned as well as the livelihood of almost 100 individuals." He is also believed to be thinking of putting up alternatives for the affected employees to include a reforestation project.

Ayungon Mayor Edsel Enardecido said the closure of the Silica mining operation in Ayungon is tantamount to cutting the supply of high-grade raw material for at least 10 big cement factories all over the country, as well as the income of residents.

He, however, said he believes that the main reason for the closure is loss of income for the host barangay, the municipality and the province.

In five years of operation under the category of small scale mining, the Silica mines in Ayungon generated P2 to 3 million annually for the province, another P1 million for the municipality, and P200,000 quarterly for Barangay Maaslum.

But, starting this year, the permittee heirs of Arturo Zayco Jr., converted their operation into large scale mining under the so-called Mine Production Sharing Agreement of which the extraction fee goes directly to the national treasury, and none for the provincial government.

Enardecido said he is in favor of taking the mitigating measures to prevent siltation down to the Maaslum River noting that no farms are located in the surrounding areas.

GRDI president Joseph Loo said he is also willing to discuss remedies even as the company had complied with all the requirements.

A multipartite monitoring team report showed that it has complied substantially with the requisites.

An ocular inspection of the mining area showed that no tree will grow in the Silica mountain and that the danger of a landslide is a remote possibility because Silica is stone-based and needs partial blasting to mine.

Loo said he is willing to initially address the revenue-generation concern of the LGUs concerned by agreeing to pay P30 per cubic meter of silica produced in Ayungon.

Provincial legal officer Erwin Vergara who effected the closure/stoppage order said they have all the legal basis for their act.

He said it was understood by the operator and the permittee, because when accidents happen or environmental degradation occurs, these are immediately lodged before the barangay, the mayor and eventually with the governor, and not directly to the national government.

Vergara said he is hoping that the issue will be tackled during the meeting of the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board on Friday, in the presence of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau representative from Region 7.*

back to top