The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has scheduled a public scoping activity for the proposed Sangilo Mines Expansion (APSA 103) project of Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc., marking the project’s entry into the early stage of the environmental review process.
In a notice issued by the EMB, the public scoping is set for January 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., at the Itogon Training Center (ITC) in Tuding, Itogon, Benguet. The proposed expansion will cover areas in the barangays of Ampucao, Virac, and Poblacion in Itogon.
Public scoping is part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, where project proponents present an overview of their proposal and gather issues, concerns, and inputs from stakeholders. These inputs help determine what environmental studies and safeguards must be included in the project’s Environmental Performance Report and Management Plan (EPRMP).
The EMB said the public scoping stage is intended to define the scope of work for the environmental assessment and does not mean that the project has already been approved. Interested parties, including residents, organizations, and government agencies, are encouraged to participate in the activity or submit comments during the review period.
Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. operates the Sangilo Mine, a long-established underground gold and silver mining operation in Itogon, Benguet. The mine is one of the historic mining sites in the province and has been part of mining activity in the area for decades.
The Sangilo Mine forms part of the portfolio of Apex Mining Co., Inc., which holds mineral rights and operates several gold projects in the Philippines. Any proposed expansion of operations remains subject to environmental review and regulatory approval.
As the environmental review moves forward, how will community participation during the public scoping stage shape the next steps for the proposed mine expansion?
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