Also in ‘conspiracy’ with concerned gov’t
agencies particularly DENR, NGOs claimed

TACLOBAN CITY-Small-scale mining in the Samar provinces continue to proliferate despite the pronouncements of the national government for an all-out war against such mining activity because of alleged “conspiracy” of local officials and government agencies.

Engineer Gil Almasco, general management and technical consultant of the Barangay Integrated Upland Farmers Association of Samar and two other non-government organizations, said mining firms conducting mineral extractions, particularly in Eastern Samar, are allegedly being coddled by some local officials.

He alleged that even the national line agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) are involved in this tolerance.

“Last year from January to December, we have conducted researches and studies about the operations of mining activities in Eastern Samar. We learned that there are already operations of mining firms even if they have yet to secure approval of their permit from the MGB for mineral production sharing agreement,” he said in a interview over DyDW on Wednesday.

These operations, he said, are illegal and unauthorized prompting them to investigate and gather pieces of evidence to seek aid from MGB.

Almasco named Yin Yi Minstone Mining Incorporated and its sister company Yin Shu Mining Corporation as two of several mining firms reported to be illegally extracting chromite ore by small-scale miners in Salcedo town in Eastern Samar who are allegedly enjoying protection from some local officials.

Records from the regional office of MGB-8 revealed that Yin Yi Minstone has applied for chromite extraction on April 13, 2005 while Yin Shu on May 3 of the same year in said town.

Despite of the pending application, Almasco said the two mining firms are still able to conduct their operations and transport chromite ores to China.

He said that the two mining companies have the backings of some local officials in Eastern Samar.

By Alvin Cardines
Correspondent