Small time mining a disguise for large-scale operations, says mayor

OZAMIZ CITY, Philippines—The small-scale mining operations in the hinterlands of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, could be a “well-planned disguise for large-scale minerals exploration,” the town’s mayor said.

Dumingag Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga said he was convinced this was true because, he claimed,  he was  offered P2 million in exchange for allowing mining in Barangay Licabang.

The offer, he said, was made by some men who visited him about six months ago, allegedly sent to him by unspecified mining companies.

Pacalioga would not identify the men and said the mining company’s name was also not revealed to him.

“I am not aware which companies they worked for,” he said, “although I am fully aware our hinterland communities have been eyed long before by mining interests.”

Pacalioga said he told the men he could not do what they wanted and that it was up to the residents of the town to decide if they would approve of mining or not.

In supporting his statement about the small-scale mining activities being a front for a larger operation,  Pacalioga cited the continuing trading in mine sludge.

Sludge is basically mine waste but, he said, this was being sent to processing plants to determine if mining was feasible in the municipality.

Last month, the local police seized a truck hauling 260 sacks of sludge owned by Nieves Enojo, wife of Chief Insp. Prudencio Enojo Jr., deputy chief of the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group  in Western Mindanao.

Pacalioga said Enojo interceded for the release of the seized cargo. He said the cargo was seized because it had no transport permit.

Interviewed over the phone, Enojo said his wife buys the sludge from a consolidator based in Licabang, and in turn sells it to a Chinese buyer in nearby Mahayag town.

Enojo said the Chinese buyer told them he was after the residual copper that can be extracted from the mud.

“The entire set of activities resulting from mining is part of a deliberate scheme to prospect for minerals in the town,” Pacalioga said.

Pacalioga said that since the operation was illegal, local authorities have been trying to stop small-scale mining in Licabang but the campaign has been unsuccessful.

He said heavily armed men were guarding the mining activities.

Pacalioga said a recent inspection of the area by local authorities and environment officials showed that the illegal mining operation in Licabang now involves 10 tunnels. There is also a ball mill processing the ores there, he said.