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01 September 2024
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National Communications Officer, Artisanal Gold Council Philippines for the planetGOLD Philippines project
SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE — Small-scale gold miners in Sagada are taking another significant step toward responsible gold mining with the introduction of the Mercury-Free Processing System (MFPS). While the community has already moved away from mercury use, the MFPS ensures that use of this chemical is no longer an option for extracting gold.
Built within the declared 10-hectare Minahang Bayan (People’s small-scale mining) area of the Northern Sagada Barangay Small-Scale Miners Association, Inc. (NSBSSMAI) in Brgy. Fidelisan, Sagada, Mt. Province, the facility represents a major upgrade for local miners. The Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) Philippines , through the planetGOLD Philippines project, held its third training this year to optimize the system and train miners in its operation. Construction of the facility began in June 2023, following a year of careful planning and community consultations.
“This facility is more than just a tool—it’s a testament to the commitment of Sagada’s miners to adopt safer and cleaner mining practices,” said Engr. Jinky Jane Tero of AGC’s technical team. “With this system, they can increase their productivity, allowing them to contribute more to their community.”
Inside the Mercury-Free Processing System in Sagada
The MFPS was specifically designed to align with the local policies and needs of Sagada, which prohibits the use of any chemicals including cyanide. Unlike the MFPS in Paracale, Camarines Norte, which employs a complete gold processing circuit, the facility in Sagada focuses on improving existing gravity concentration systems. This approach was approved during the 4th Project Steering Committee in September 2022, following consultations with the Sagada Municipal Council, mining and non-mining communities, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Bureau - Cordillera Administrative Region (MGB-CAR).
The MFPS features three processing lines, each consisting of:
- Crushing circuits to reduce ore size,
- Grinding circuits to liberate gold particles,
- Gravity concentration circuits for free gold recovery, and
- Tailings storage facilities (TSFs) to manage waste safely.
Housed in two main structures—the "new building" for lines 1 and 2 and the "old building" for line 3—the facility also includes an office for NSBSSMAI, a solid waste material recovery facility (MRF), and a comfort room. With a processing capacity of 3 to 4 metric tons of ore per day, it operates using water sourced from Bumud-ok Falls and is powered by a single-phase electrical system.
Hands-On Training for Miners
During the three-day training held from 13-15 August 2024, NSBSSMAI members learned how to operate the crushing, grinding, and gravity concentration equipment. The first day focused on lectures covering the system’s design and function, while the second and third days offered hands-on training.
“This is our third time working with Sagada miners this year to ensure they fully understand the system and how to optimize it,” Tero explained. “It’s not just about gold recovery; it’s about protecting the environment and their health.”
For Jeffrey Bunguy, a miner and NSBSSMAI member, the MFPS represents a big leap forward. “We’ve been moving toward safer practices for years. This system gives us peace of mind knowing we’re doing things right—for ourselves and for Sagada.”
Jeffrey shared how the facility has changed their approach to mining. “Before, it was all manual work, and there were risks we didn’t fully understand. Now, we have better tools and better knowledge. We can focus on getting results without harming our community or ourselves.”
He also expressed hope for future generations of miners. “The younger ones won’t have to go through what we did. They’ll learn to mine in a way that respects the land and keeps them safe.”
Support from MGB
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central Office was also on-site to inspect the facility and participate in the training.
“Sagada is showing the rest of the country that responsible gold mining is possible,” said Engr. Joven Battung, chief of MGB’s Small-Scale Mining and Development Section. “The MFPS isn’t just a technical improvement; it’s a way forward for communities that want to mine responsibly without harming their surroundings.”
A New Chapter for Sagada Small-scale Mining
The MFPS will be formally turned over to NSBSSMAI as the project’s partner mining association in January 2025, marking a milestone for the association and its partnership with planetGOLD Philippines.
“This facility, paired with continuous training and support, gives Sagada’s miners the tools to operate responsibly and efficiently,” said Tero. “It’s about ensuring a better future for their community.”
For miners like Jeffrey, the MFPS is more than just a facility—it’s a promise. “This is our way of showing that small-scale mining can be done right. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved here, and we’re ready to prove that we can be responsible miners.”
“Though a complete circuit processing facility, similar to the one in Paracale, would achieve a significantly higher recovery rate, we fully respect the culture and traditions of our indigenous brothers and sisters in Sagada. We will honor their pact to refrain from using any chemicals in gold processing. Ultimately, we believe that development should be guided by the community itself, based on their needs and desires," said Abigail Ocate, National Project Manager of the AGC Philippines.
Sagada’s journey from traditional practices to advanced, mercury-free gold processing sets an inspiring example for other mining communities in the Philippines. With every step forward, they demonstrate that mining can prioritize both people and the environment.
A group photo in the shaking table with AGC PH, MGB and small-scale miners. (Photo by Dawn Po Quimque, Artisanal Gold Council Philippines/planetGOLD Philippines)
The Artisanal Gold Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the socio-economic conditions of artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities. Through capacity building, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, the AGC promotes responsible mining practices that benefit both people and the planet. AGC is the executing agency of the GEF-funded and UN-implemented planetGOLD Philippines Project.
The planetGOLD Philippines is a five-year project funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Office and the United Nations Environment Program. In the Philippines, the Project is executed by the Artisanal Gold Council (a non-governmental organization) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The Project is designed to address key issues linked to the continued mercury use in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector and to provide sustainable development opportunities for the communities involved.
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