FORGING A MERCURY-FREE FUTURE: TURNOVER CEREMONY OF MERCURY-FREE PROCESSING SYSTEM (MFPS) IN SAGADA, MT. PROVINCE

Aerial shot of miners, members of the media, and project stakeholders standing in front of Sagada Mercury-Free Processing System facility as the Turnover Ceremony finally concluded.

Sagada, Mountain Province, 3 February 2025 – The Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) Philippines, through the planetGOLD Philippines project, has officially transferred the operations and management of the highly anticipated Mercury-Free Processing System (MFPS) facility to its project partner, the Northern Sagada Barangay Small-Scale Miners Association, Inc. (NSBSSMAI). This facility will allow small-scale gold miners in the Minahang Bayan (People’s Small-Scale Mining Area) of Barangay Fidelisan to process gold in a safer, cleaner, and more efficient manner.

As part of its commitment to environmentally responsible mining, planetGOLD Philippines aims to reduce mercury reliance while improving ore processing efficiency in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). The newly established MFPS in Sagada aligns with national and global efforts to eliminate mercury in ASGM by introducing safer, more effective gold recovery methods suited to local mining practices.

A Facility Designed for Responsible Gold Processing

Located within the Minahang Bayan, the MFPS utilizes a purely gravity-based concentration method, which includes crushing, grinding, and gravity circuits, designed for maximum gold recovery. The facility can process up to four metric tons of ore, achieving a project recovery rate of at least 60%. Given Sagada’s strong policy against chemical use, particularly mercury, the MFPS integrates system improvements tailored for local miners.

To ensure environmental protection, mine tailings will be responsibly managed in designated ponds before being transported to the Loacan Itogon Pocket Miners Association (LIPMA) in Itogon, Benguet—five hours away. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NSBSSMAI and LIPMA allows the latter to process tailings at its cyanidation plant for a minimal fee, with planetGOLD Philippines assisting in upgrading LIPMA’s facility to meet processing requirements.

A Milestone Turnover Ceremony

The MFPS turnover ceremony was held in two parts: a formal event in the morning and a facility walkthrough in the afternoon, which required a 20-30 minute trek to the Minahang Bayan site. The event was attended by project partners, including UNIDO Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), local government officials, academia, media, and miners from Paracale, Camarines Norte, and Itogon, Benguet. Community members from Sagada also participated.

Mountain Province State University’s Student Cultural Arts Group performing traditional dances in their region during the Sagada MFPS Turnover Ceremony.

Prior to the event, attendees joined a thanksgiving mass at St. Matthew's Parish. The program opened with a cultural dance by the MPSU Student Cultural Arts Group, followed by welcoming remarks from Atty. Raul Edan, OIC of the Mountain Province Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Mr. Eleuterio Lomiwes from the Sagada Mayor’s Office.

Atty. Edan highlighted the significance of responsible mining, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation. “Let us continue working together to ensure our mining practices contribute positively to our community’s well-being and the preservation of our natural heritage,” he stated.

Representing Sagada Mayor Felicito Dula, Lomiwes expressed strong municipal support for responsible mining. Meanwhile, UNIDO Philippines Country Representative Teddy Monroy shared his reflections on the project’s origins in 2016 and its long-term vision. “Almost a decade later, we are turning our vision into reality—making ASGM safer, more profitable, and equitable, ensuring that no one is left behind,” Monroy stated. He emphasized that ASGM, when supported with sustainable development, can serve as a major economic driver. He also highlighted the dangers of mercury use, challenging attendees to consider its consequences.

Commitment to a Mercury-Free Future

 

From left to right: MGB CAR's Engr. Santiago Bugnosen, NSBSSMAI’s Joseph Patil-ao, UNIDO Philippines’ Mr. Teddy Monroy, and AGC Philippines’ Abigail Ocate showcasing the memorandum of agreement they’ve signed.

To introduce the MFPS, planetGOLD Philippines National Project Manager Abigail Ocate presented an audio-visual showcase detailing the facility’s features. She commended the miners’ dedication, stating, “This is your achievement. You have set an example long before we arrived, showing that mining and farming can coexist, and that mining can be done while protecting your health, your families, and your future.”

“As we move forward, let us carry this with us: Sustainable development is not about changing a place – it is about strengthening the good that is already there," Ocate stated as she closed her speech.

The event’s highlight was the formal turnover, marked by the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement and Transfer of Ownership between AGC Philippines and NSBSSMAI. Witnessing the signing were UNIDO’s Teddy Monroy and MGB CAR’s Engr. Santiago Bugnosen. The unveiling of the MFPS building marker, led by MGB’s OIC Assistant Director Engr. Teodorico Sandoval, symbolized the official handover.

From left to right: Abigail Ocate, National Project Manager of AGC Philippines, Atty. Raul Edan, OIC of the Mountain Province Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Engr. Teodorico A. Sandoval, OIC Assistant Director of MGB unveiled the building marker of MFPS Facility in Sagada, Mountain Province.

A commitment to mercury-free ASGM was reinforced as stakeholders signed a Commitment Wall, led by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Atty. Dante Cambri. Mountain Province State University (MPSU), represented by Vice President for Administration and Finance Reynaldo Gayo Jr., pledged continued capacity-building support for small-scale miners.

"As we move forward, let us carry this with us: Sustainable development is not about changing a place – it is about strengthening the good that is already there," Ocate stated as she closed her speech. 

A Call for Responsible Mining

Joan Tomeg, a miner, expressed gratitude for planetGOLD Philippines’ efforts in recognizing and empowering women in ASGM. Meanwhile, NSBSSMAI President Joseph Patil-ao acknowledged the project’s role in strengthening the organization’s commitment to responsible mining. He shared how the project has made them prouder of their work, despite persistent misconceptions about small-scale miners. Additionally, it has opened their eyes to the importance of improving mining practices, formalization, access to markets and finance, training, advocacy, and more.

Joseph Patil-ao, President of Northern Sagada Barangay Small-Scale Miners Association Inc., delivering his speech during the Sagada MFPS Turnover Ceremony.

Patil-ao debunked common misconceptions about small-scale miners, emphasizing their commitment to environmental protection. “We want to preserve our environment for future generations, but we often lack resources to do so effectively. The support from planetGOLD Philippines has been invaluable,” he stated. He urged fellow miners to embrace responsible mining, saying, “Let’s not waste this chance. Let’s show the world that we are rich—not just in gold, but in protection of the environment for the next generation too.”

Closing the first session, Engr. Sandoval reiterated the shared goal of promoting responsible and mercury-free gold mining. Before concluding, a symbolic shovel plaque—representing the two-year journey of building the MFPS—was awarded to NSBSSMAI. The session ended with a cultural dance led by the miners themselves.

Members of the media participating in a conference with Atty. Raul Edan (MPENRO), Eleuterio Langgawan (Sagada MLGU), Atty. Dante Cambri (BSP), Engr. Teodorico Sandoval (MGB), Joseph Patil-ao (NSBSSMAI), Abigail Ocate (AGC PH), and Teddy Monroy (UNIDO PH).

A media conference followed, allowing journalists to ask questions about the project and the state of ASGM in Sagada.

A Traditional Ceremony and Site Visit

The second session took place at the MFPS facility in Minahang Bayan, Barangay Fidelisan, beginning with a traditional “Piyok” ritual—where a chicken was sacrificed as a thanksgiving offering to the gods and spirits.

From left to right: Abigail Ocate, National Project Manager of AGC Philippines, Hon. Peter Patong, Barangay Captain of Fidelisan, Joseph Patil-ao, President of NSBSSMAI, and Atty. Raul Edan from MPENRO led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Sagada MFPS Turnover.

Hon. Peter Patong, Barangay Captain of Fidelisan, expressed appreciation for the stakeholders’ support in improving their mining community. “Your assistance has benefited not only the miners but the entire Fidelisan community. May we continue working together for a sustainable future,” he remarked.

The ceremony proceeded with a ribbon-cutting, marking the facility’s official opening. Leading the event were AGC Philippines’ National Project Manager Abigail Ocate, Barangay Captain Hon. Peter Patong, NSBSSMAI President Joseph Patil-ao, and Atty. Raul Edan of the Mountain Province Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Before the facility walkthrough, Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s Engr. Albertini Buca provided safety reminders, followed by a blessing led by Rev. Jonalyn Y. Kidyam.

Project stakeholders and media practitioners inside the MFPS facility in Sagada witnessing how the machineries enhance the gold processing.

Attendees then witnessed firsthand how the MFPS enhances gold processing—making it safer, cleaner, and more efficient—as miners demonstrated the system’s operations.

The turnover of the Sagada MFPS facility marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward responsible and sustainable small-scale gold mining, setting a precedent for other ASGM communities across the Philippines.

Small-scale miners and project stakeholders standing in front of the MFPS in Sagada as the operating and management of the facility finally transferred to the NSBSSMAI.

In April, another MFPS Facility will be turned over to  the Project partner small-scale mining association in Paracale, Camarines Norte.