RIZAL RESOURCES CORPORATION V.RZL.H

Shut down 40 unlicensed ore plants

[Maupiti]

Monday, July 23. 2012
South Cotabato shuts down 40 unlicensed ore plants in T’boli town

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, July 23 - Mining regulators in South Cotabato have ordered the closure of 40 unlicensed or unregistered ore processors and ball mills in T’boli town as part of the provincial government’s crackdown against illegal small-scale gold mining and processing operations in the area.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said Monday the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) approved the closure of the unlicensed ore processing plants after their owners failed to obtain the necessary permits and licenses despite an earlier directive from the local government.

“We have to make this move to show to them that we are serious and determined to cleanse the area of all illegal mining and processing operations,” said the governor, who chairs the PMRB.

A report from the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) showed that there are at least 100 processing plants based in T'boli town but only 86 have obtained permits to operate.

In January, the provincial government issued a stoppage order against the unlicensed ore processors and ball mills in the area and issued notices to their operators to comply with the local government’s regulations or face closure

Pingoy said the stoppage order is pursuant to Provincial Ordinance No. 7, Series of 2003, which sets the “taxes, fees, charges and other impositions on small-scale mining, mineral processing operations and transporting of mineral ore within the province of South Cotabato.”

“This ordinance strictly prohibits the extraction and processing of ores without proper permits and payment of necessary fees to the provincial government,” he said.

Engr. Siegfred Flaviano, acting PEMO chief, said the issuance of the closure order was part of the local government’s efforts to properly regulate all small-scale mining and related activities within the province.

Based on the provincial government’s monitoring, around 300 ball mills and 200 ore processing plants are presently operating in T’boli town.

The mineral ores being processed by the ball mills and ore processors come from the thriving small-scale mining activities in the gold rush villages of Kematu and Desawo.

Pingoy earlier said the provincial government may earn an additional P18 million annually if the existing ore processors and ball mill plants in the area will properly pay their fees and taxes.(PNA) FPV/AVE/with AC

https://www.zambotimes.com/archives/49813-South-Cotabato-shut…