Gov vows to back fight vs irresponsible mining

DAVAO CITY—The governor of one of Mindanao’s mineral-rich provinces on Thursday said she was backing President  Duterte’s stance against destructive mining practices.

“I will personally assist President Duterte in booting out irresponsible miners in Agusan,” said Agusan del Norte Gov. Angel Amante-Matba.

She said with the help of the national government, she would “keep an eye on irresponsible miners” in her province and “will not hesitate to castigate those who will evade the law, especially those who will not comply with environmental standards.”

Earlier, Duterte said that he was against destructive mining practices and that mining companies must comply with international environmental standards or face sanctions.

He also asked Environment Secretary Gina Lopez to reject new mining applications, saying the environment had suffered enough.

“For a province tagged  one of the country’s mining hotspots, our people and land will benefit from the strict measures to be implemented by the President,” Matba said.

Among the mining companies operating in Agusan del Norte is the controversial S.R. Metals, which is linked with Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice.

In 2006, S.R. Metals was among three firms ordered closed after government regulators found they exceeded the extraction limit of 150,000 metric tons  of ore per year set for small-scale mines.

Matba said that mining operations in her province were mostly operated and managed by responsible miners.

She urged the Duterte administration to help her set up “a more stringent regulatory mechanism to pursue best practices among mining companies.”

Matba also said she was thankful because Duterte did not ban mining altogether.

“Banning mining operations will certainly be a huge economic setback to a lot of people not only in Agusan province but the whole of Caraga region,” she said. Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao