5th National Small-Scale Mining Coalition Assembly Calls for Law Reforms and Support for Mercury-Free Technology

 

More than 200 small-scale gold miners from over 30 mining associations and federations across the country gathered from July 25-26, 2024, for the 5th Assembly of the National Coalition of Small-Scale Miners of the Philippines, Inc. (NCSSMPI), to push for law reforms and strengthening of the coalition.

With the theme “Ginto ng Bayan para sa Bayan: Pagbabagong Batas at Programa sa Maliitang Pagmimina Isakatuparan (The Nation’s Gold for the People: Reform Laws and Programs for Small-Scale Mining Now),” the Assembly highlighted the continuing challenges of the sector in their pursuit for recognition and welfare, and the persistent struggles for sustainable mining.

The NCSSMPI was founded in 2016 at the Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Miners Summit, hosted by the environmental justice organization BAN Toxics, which has served as the secretariat of the Coalition and the national assembly since its formation.

Among its legislative reform agenda, the Coalition pushes for the urgent amendment of RA 7076 or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act. Specifically, they seek to address the exorbitant cost of formalizing a Minahang Bayan (People’s Mining Area), the limited validity of mining contracts, and the bureaucratic red tape that prevents small-scale gold miners from operating legally and profitably.

“Outdated and large-scale-biased legislation have trapped thousands of subsistence miners in cycles of debt and mercury dependence. The lack of government support for mercury-free technology further drives the use of mercury. The high cost of investment in cyanide plants renders this safer alternative inaccessible to poverty-driven small-scale mining associations,” Arleen Honrade of BAN Toxics’ Community Development Unit, and the Coalition secretary said.

The Assembly was also an occasion for the small-scale miners to share good practices for environmental protection, economic contribution, and gold reserves of the country. It was attended by delegates from Benguet, Baguio, Sagada, Agusan Del Sur, Davao De Oro, T’boli, Zamboanga Del Norte, and Camarines Norte, who elected a new set of officers and board members of the Coalition on the first day.

Newly elected Coalition President Josephine Balonga of the Maguan Clan Small-Scale Miners Association (MCSSMA) said that she would take the challenge in the next two years to improve the welfare of the small-scale mining sector. “We will expand the coalition’s membership and work towards formalizing more small-scale mining operations and contracts, and promoting sustainable mining practices.”

Some of the associations present also decried the issue of red-tagging on small-scale miners by the military and large-scale mining corporations. “Traditional small-scale miners from indigenous mining communities continuously face the threat of encroachment on their ancestral domains from large-scale mining companies through ‘Big Brother Small Brother’ partnership programs. Associations that speak out against these practices are red-tagged and harassed. Leaders of small-scale mining associations in Camarines Norte are ‘visited’ by military personnel, despite having legal documents and operating under declared Minahang Bayan areas,” said Honrade.

On the second day of the Assembly, a stakeholders meeting was held to gather support for prioritizing the proposed amendment of RA 7076 and updating the National Strategic Plan for small-scale mining in the country.

In attendance during the whole duration of the Assembly was former Assistant Secretary of DENR, Engr. Nonita Caguioa, who is also a consultant of the coalition. During the program, she highlighted institutional barriers in the processes of Minahang Bayan declarations.

During the stakeholders meeting, Engr. Leopoldo Badiola of the Camarines Norte Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) stated, “It’s been three decades since the People’s Small-Scale Mining Law was passed, and it was only in 2021 that the first small-scale mining contract was declared in the entire Bicol Region and Camarines Norte. We recognize the struggles of small-scale mining associations, but with the collaboration of various stakeholders, including BAN Toxics, which has been present since Day Zero, they have painstakingly struggled for the passage of a small-scale mining contract.”

Government officials who attended and expressed support included Mayor Severino Francisco Jr. and several councilors from Labo, Camarines Norte; local government representatives from Paracale and Jose Panganiban; the Camarines Norte Vice Governor’s office; eight regions of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Boards under the DENR-Mining and Geosciences Bureau; regional offices of the Department of Labor and Employment; and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Senator Win Gatchalian also sent a video message.

Anika Padilla, the daughter of Camarines Norte Governor Ricarte Padilla also attended the stakeholders meeting to represent her father and express her father’s support. Gov. Padilla is known in the province as a staunch supporter of formalizing the small-scale miners.

After the stakeholders’ meeting, Guillermo Molina Jr. Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 5 office, facilitated the oath-taking of the newly elected officers of the Coalition.

In her speech, Coalition President Balonga stated that during her term, they will demonstrate what women can achieve for the Coalition. She also expressed gratitude for the growing support from government agencies.

“I’ve been in the small-scale mining industry for 30 years, and it brings me to tears to see how far we have come, seeing how our numbers have grown from the hardships of organizing the small-scale miners, and the growing support from different stakeholders,” she said.