BAN Toxics, through the Compassionate Gold (CG) Project, organized a workshop yesterday, August 28, 2026, on compliance requirements for small-scale mining (SSM) groups, providing participants with practical guidance on legal and regulatory requirements, documentary and reporting obligations, environmental management, and the preparation of key compliance documents and work programs. The activity forms part of the CG Project’s effort to promote mercury-free, responsible, and ethical gold mining while supporting SSM communities in strengthening their practices and advancing the formalization of the sector.

The workshop brought together compliance officers and representatives from various SSM groups and mining stakeholders across Benguet Province, including participants from the municipalities of Mankayan, Tuba (Philex and Barangay Camp 4), and Itogon (Barangays Loacan, Ucab, and Ampucao), with AURO Resources serving as the workshop facilitator.

BAN Toxics advocates for the formalization of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining sector, seeing it as an essential step toward proper government support and accessible mercury-free technology. Formalization means miners are licensed to operate within a declared “Minahang Bayan” or People’s Small-Scale Mining Area. This requires small-scale miners to follow environmentally responsible practices, comply with regulations, establish committees to oversee operations, promote development, and provide livelihoods while protecting the environment.

#GintoNgBayan #CompassionateGold #ResponsibleMining #EthicalMining #SmallScaleGoldMining #MercuryFreeGold