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Wednesday, March 11, 2020


MGB 13 holds re-orientation on new mining policy compliances

By Marie Pennelope E. Fang

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Mar. 11 -- To ensure the full compliance of mining contractors/permittees with new mining policies, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-13) conducted an re-orientation on the requirements of said issuances held recently at the Philippine Gateway Hotel, this city.

The requirements of MGB Memorandum Circular No. 2018-02, MGB Memorandum Order No. 20-001, together with Statistical Reports, Application of Ore Transport Permit and Mineral Ore Export Permit, Stocks Validation, and Shipment Verification/Monitoring were discussed at length by the MGB-13 technical personnel.

Key personnel of Caraga mining companies participated in the three-day activity which also aimed to strengthen further the Quality Management System of the agency.

MGB Caraga Regional Director Glenn Marcelo C. Noble, in his message, underscored the importance of collaboration in the compliance of all the standards.  In the same way, he encouraged the mining companies to be diligent and compliant in the implementation of their programs, projects and activities.

The participants’ knowledge of the following topics was enhanced further with presentations and discussions on issues and concerns encountered during monitoring using the Standardized Monitoring Checklist for Tenement; Exploration/Development/Operating Period; Proposed Mineral Processing/Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit Checklist Statistical Reports vis-à-vis Tenement Monitoring Checklist; Established Database vis-à-vis Tenement Monitoring Checklist; Annual Land-use; Issues and concerns encountered during monitoring using the Standardized Monitoring Checklist for Safety and Health.

And also, issues and concerns encountered during monitoring using the Standardized Monitoring Checklist for Social Development and Management; issues and concerns encountered during monitoring using the Standardized Monitoring Checklist for Environmental Management; MGB Memorandum Order No. 20-001; New Procedure for the Application of Ore Transport Permit and Mineral Ore Export Permit; Procedures for Shipment Verification/Monitoring including issues and concerns encountered during actual monitoring; Detailed Procedural Guidelines; Established Database; Reconciliation of Gross Sales for Royalty Payments; Procedures for and issues and concerns in the conduct of Stocks Validation (For Bulk Ore, For Gold/Silver Bullion, For Mixed Sulfides and Scandium Oxalate); and issuance of compliance certification.

Representatives from the Department of Health, Bureau of Customs and Philippine Ports Authority also took part in the discussions on the protocols for the handling of the COVID-19. 

At the end of the sessions, an open forum ensued wherein the participants raised issues and concerns in relation to the topics discussed. Similarly, an assessment/workshop was conducted to evaluate the comprehension and compliance of the mining companies.  (MGB 13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)