MINING MORATORIUM IN MARINDUQUE AN ENVIRONMENTAL NECESSITY

MINING MORATORIUM IN MARINDUQUE
AN ENVIRONMENTAL NECESSITY
By EnP LUNA EULOGIO “Pongkoy” MANRIQUE

What is mining?

Mining is the excavation of useful minerals that come from within the earth, usually found in ore bodies. Some examples of valuable materials that can be mined are coal, copper, silver, iron, gold, diamonds, etc. and everything that cannot be grown or artificially made.



Mining Industry

Mining industry has been statistically proven to be one of the most environmentally destructive industry all over the world, and we have experience the worst on the accidental flow of mine tailings in the Boac and Mogpog rivers. With far-reaching effects that damaged the two rivers including the adjacent lands in addition to the animals and plants and other living things that lives there the mining industry is an ecological disaster.


Open Pit Mining

This is the most environment devastating method of mining. Open pit mines have one unique adverse environmental effect. It is the most obvious and have severe effect on the environment; the removal of huge chunks of land, creating craters and destroying the ground water system. In addition to being a huge eyesore, these chunks of land, including its vegetation, used to be the habitat of many different organisms. By destroying them, the mine endangers human and animals, forcing all living things to relocate. A link in the ecosystem chain is totally destroyed, and the biodiversity of the area suffers. Also when the mine is no longer in operation, the area can no longer be used for anything else. Look at Marcopper minesite now.






The Maguilaguila and Makulapnit dams

Now that the mining operation had stopped, the maintenance works in Maguilaguila and Makulapnit dams had also stopped. These requires the direct involvement of the DENR and Office of Civil Defense since that none maintenance of these dams is posing a disaster risk to the municipalities of Mogpog and Boac respectively.


Impact of Mining in the environment vs the Necessity of the Minerals Mined

Mining is so devastating in the environment. The excavated minerals go through quite a process to be separated from the tailings. That makes mining so harsh on the environment. To justify how bad mining is, think about the fact that producing a single gold ring generates 20 tons of mine waste. And where does that waste go? Into the water such as rivers and seas, air, land, animals and even into us. However mining companies argued that Mining is a bare necessity and brings development to communities where they operate. It gives us access to necessary minerals and materials that we use constantly. This create many issues with the mining companies wanting to go forward with plans for mines, and the majority of the Marinduquenos who oppose it.

But the real issue here is the Marinduque environment and the rights and well being of every Marinduqueño. I am not against mining! All that I say is to “Give our natural environment a breather to rehabilitate and regenerate itself.”


Political Decision

Mining is always a hot topic in politics. But the Sangguniang Panlalawigan should take a stance on the subject. They are in the best position and have to make a clear decision. Political leaders should make up their minds about what they think is right as far as mining is concerned.


My personal belief is that environment comes first!