The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is undertaking a series of initiatives that will formalize small-scale mining operations and recognize their role in the industry.
DENR said these initiatives form part of a review on laws governing small-scale mining aimed at modernizing industry standards and increasing protection of small-scale miners.
Carlos Primo David, DENR undersecretary, said these initiatives are aligned with the agency’s agenda to promote responsible, inclusive and globally competitive mining practices while also ensuring the welfare and protection of small-scale miners.
David said the DENR aims to slowly integrate small-scale miners into the broader mining sector.
“The small-scale miners are there. We have to bring them into the fold of the mining sector.
The core of DENR’s strategy lies in individually registering these small-scale miners, serving as the basis for a more organized structure,” David said.
David said small-scale miners will eventually be organized into a more formal association which will work like a cooperative.
Data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau showed there are 53 declared Minahang Bayan in the country as of end-2022.
A Minahang Bayan is a common area where small-scale miners are allowed to legally operate. As these have been previously identified, government can better monitor and regulate the small- scale miners, ensuring government revenues and safety of both workers and the environment.
Of the 53 Minahang Bayan, 17 are in Luzon, three are in the Visayas and 33 are in Mindanao.
Out of the 53 areas, 44 are for gold, seven for chromite, one for magnesite and another one for silica quartz.
The DENR said legal recognition of small miners will also help them to get adequate support to operate within established standards and safety protocols.
“A properly regulated small-scale mining industry will benefit the community in terms of job creation and livelihood and the country in terms of mining assets and taxes. More importantly, it will address the violation of environmental laws and mining regulations and minimize environmental risks and promote mine safety,” David said.
The DENR said one of the policies meant to protect small-scale miners include the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 that provides social assistance, labor protection and government-backed assistance programs.
The agency noted a big brother, small brother approach help capacitate small miners to contribute to social and environmental protection efforts, among others.
However, the DENR said small-scale miners should also be modernized to harness technologies such as remote sensing and artificial intelligence to enhance industry regulation and law enforcement.
The agency also said the newly-created Geospatial Database Office which employs satellite imagery and Geographic Information System can potentially monitor mining operations in the country and identify those which are illegally operating.
