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20 April 2024
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SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE – A new partnership is set to strengthen the small-scale gold mining industry in Sagada. On April 12, 2024, the Artisanal Gold Council Philippines (AGC PH) facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Northern Sagada Barangay Small-Scale Mining Association Inc. (NSBSSMAI) and the Loacan Itogon Pocket Miners Association (LIPMA) from Benguet. The ceremony took place at St. Matthew's Parish Hall in Bangaan, Sagada.
This agreement is more than just a formal partnership. NSBSSMAI has long practiced sustainable, non-chemical methods of gold extraction. While this eco-friendly approach is commendable, it has left some mining tailings in Sagada underutilized. Initially, AGC PH planned to build a mercury-free processing system to boost mining operations and improve the efficiency of gold recovery using safe chemicals. However, after a series of community consultations and meetings with all stakeholders, the full-blown MFPS was shelved to respect the community's commitment to chemical-free practices, even though the plan was fully supported by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). Years ago, community leaders, elders, and miners made a pact to never use chemicals in their operations. The MOA aims to further develop small-scale mining in Sagada while upholding these environmental principles.
Despite these challenges, Abigail Ocate, AGC PH National Project, emphasized the project's commitment to supporting small-scale miners in Sagada by building stronger partnerships with groups like LIPMA. She acknowledged the difficulties miners face, especially in maximizing the use of tailings in Sagada. The Project recently established a facility equipped with a complete set of gold processing tools on a designated site.
“In light of the community's decision against building a new processing plant in Sagada, we’ve adjusted our approach,” Ocate explained. “Through the planetGOLD Philippines project, we’re focusing on upgrading equipment in a shared facility within the mining zone. This includes improving NSBSSMAI's gravity concentration method with better, more mechanized tools.”
Ocate also highlighted the importance of partnering with LIPMA for this initiative. “We're helping LIPMA enhance and expand their existing processing plant to handle the tailings from NSBSSMAI. By connecting these two mining associations, we’re establishing a sustainable partnership that aims to boost profits for small-scale gold miners in both areas while promoting responsible practices.”
The MOA signing ceremony commenced with the presence of the MGB-Cordillera Administrative Region (MGB-CAR) Regional Director Fay W. Apil, Mountain Province Environment and Natural Resources Office (MPENRO) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Raul I. Edan, NSBSSMAI President Joseph S. Patil-ao, Jr., LIPMA President Eduardo Kingay, and AGC PHl-planetGOLD Philippines National Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Mildred Arucan.
The MOA states the roles of each party and highlights that the AGC will fund the expansion of the processing plant of LIPMA and in return, LIPMA shall cater to the tailings or the waste ores of the NSBSSMAI of Sagada. It will also provide technical support, expertise, and financial assistance to NSBSSMAI in testing LIPMA’s processing facility to ensure that the plant operates at its optimal capacity and efficiency and the collaboration will work well. Guidelines and other provisions on each section were also reviewed, edited, and finalized before the signing of documents. Concerns from each party were also brought to the table and were tackled for clarifications and explanations.
Furthermore, RD Apil also acknowledged that the parties' cooperation indicates their readiness to take part in various initiatives, such as the cooperation of miners to support the growth of the ASGM industry in the province as well as in its partner association in the neighboring province of Benguet. ”This collaboration or partnership between the two associations show the willingness of both parties to help each other towards the development of the ASGM sector.”
On the other hand, Atty. Edan committed the continuous support of the Provincial Government to responsible mining and the development of the ASGM sector, especially to areas with declared Minahang Bayan like Sagada. According to him, the Provincial Government through its Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) has always supported initiatives that support the local miners in the province, resulting in the declaration of the first Minahang Bayan in the Cordillera region. He also reiterated that the MOA may also resolve the illegal activities observed with the presence of Ore Transport Permit (OTP) which comes after the construction of the processing plant in Benguet. “The Office of the Governor or the Provincial Government of Mountain Province expresses their full support in this ongoing partnership between Sagada miners and Itogon miners and through this, we hope the association would abide with our regulations and stop illegal transport of tailings.” Atty. Edan said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Eduardo Kingay, president of LIPMA highlighted in his message the importance of coming together and talking about the terms and conditions as a way to come up with a common understanding. He said “It is good that the miners from Sagada came to LIPMA so we started talking about the different terms and conditions that would benefit both parties. There were things added and conditions clarified so none would be on the bad side. Now that we have come up with the revised terms, we can now finally sign it and proceed with this project.”
Mr. Joseph Patil-ao, President of NSBSSMAI, said, "This is a good movement because it provides a solution to the long-standing problem of the miners here – the transportation and disposal of tailings for further processing. The terms were agreed upon by both sides, and we are thankful to AGC, planetGOLD Philippines, and MGB for allowing this project to help us."
This partnership represents a significant milestone for small-scale gold mining in Sagada. By combining tradition and innovation, the collaboration between NSBSSMAI and LIPMA, with the support of AGC and planetGOLD Philippines, aims to enhance the local mining industry while upholding the community's values. As these two mining associations unite, they are not only advancing their own practices, but also setting a compelling precedent for sustainable development and responsible mining that may serve as inspiration for others in the region. With this shared dedication to progress and environmental stewardship, the future of gold mining in Sagada shines even brighter.
The planetGOLD Philippines Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility, implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and executed by the Artisanal Gold Council.
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