Suspension of small-scale mining in ComVal eyed after landslide

Following a landslide that buried a small-scale mining community in Compostela Valley Friday, local authorities are eyeing a suspension on small-scale mining in some areas of the province. Governor Arturo Uy disclosed this as he voiced fears the chances of survival of at least 21 more miners still trapped under the debris are getting slimmer. “We might suspend. I’m trying to recommend a suspension for a definite time, let’s say 30 days. Tomorrow antay ako kaunting detalye (I’ll wait for a few more details then) we might announce the suspension, then reevaluate and reassess the situation," he said in an interview on the noontime newscast “Balitanghali." He said that during the suspension, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) can reassess the situation and make their recommendations. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s figures had confirmed at least three dead and eight injured. Meanwhile, Uy said at least 21 more miners are still deemed missing and are now the subject of search-and-rescue operations, but admitted the chances of them surviving are slim. “Parang wala. parang napakalaki ng volume ng gumuhong lupa (There appears to be no sign of life. The volume of land that crashed down on the site was so large)," he said when asked if there were signs of life from underneath the debris. “Maliit ang chance may magsu-survive sa loob," he added. Also, Uy admitted that while the MGB already recommended a ban on mining in the area where the incident occurred, some hardheaded miners have defied the ban. “Unfortunately may minero na napakatigas ng ulo, doon pa sila tumira ... Nahirapan din ang mayor mag-implement. Ilang beses sinasabihan pero hindi pa rin umaalis," he said. — LBG, GMA News