An aerial view of a mining operation in Misamis Oriental. (File photo courtesy of MGB-10)
TheMonitorMindanaoToday.com | Illegal mining ops in MisOr draw MGB probe
By: Ercel Maandig
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Northern Mindanao (MGB-10) said it will deepen its probe into alleged illegal mining activities in Misamis Oriental.
In a Thursday interview, MGB-10 director Rodante Felina said they received reports indicating that public officials may have operated some mines they had previously responded to.
The move was prompted by a joint anti-illegal mining operation in Barangay Nangcaon in Opol town which revealed extensive illicit activities.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of a person and the confiscation of heavy equipment, raising serious concerns about abuse of authority and environmental damage,” Felina said.
Confiscated from the site were three hydraulic excavators, ten water pumps, several hoses, sluice mats and boxes, a wooden gold pan and a sack containing receipts and transaction records allegedly documenting the sale of extracted minerals.
Drone surveillance and ground verification confirmed that the operation disturbed about 4.88 hectares of land, with excavation depths reaching up to three meters, highlighting the scale and long-term environmental impact of the illicit activity.
Poultry farms probe
Meanwhile, Alubijid town Vice Mayor Rhandy Akut said local government leaders will hold an emergency meeting with poultry operators following the suspension of 17 poultry farms by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 10.
Akut said they will explore possible mitigation measures for the potential impact of the closure on the province’s poultry supply and the livelihoods of hundreds of workers employed on farms.
Earlier this week, the EMB-10 issued an order suspending the environmental compliance certificates of 17 poultry farms and instructed them to cease operations, citing environmental and health hazards raised by residents in a complaint.
Both the EMB and MGB are divisions under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (PNA)
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