Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Wilfredo G. Moncano has urged large-scale mining companies to adopt a program that integrates small-scale mining into its operations.
Apex Mining Co. Inc. is practicing the big brother, small brother concept which will reportedly help address problems caused by small-scale mining.
Small-scale miners often trespass in mining sites of large-scale mining companies, where they dig tunnels to extract ores for gold production. This kind of practice is risky and often leads to accidents when tunnels cave in, trapping miners who manually haul the ores during operations.
During the annual Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio, Moncano said the big brother, small brother program will help the government step up the legalization of the small-scale mining industry.
MGB is fast-tracking the establishment of Minahang Bayan to regulate small-scale mining as part of its strategy.
However, it takes years to establish a Minahang Bayan. In the meantime, large scale mines can be a big brother to their small-scale mining counterparts, said Moncano.
Apex mining has been conducting this program in its Maco Gold Mine operations in Compostela Valley.
Moncano concluded that the big brother, small brother program can boost the regulation of small-scale mining, as well as avoid tragic death and reduce risks of disasters.
