BUENAVISTA, Quezon — Authorities seized more than P2.6 million worth of equipment, chemicals and other materials allegedly used in an unauthorized small-scale mining operation in Barangay Bulo here.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said the operation was conducted around 12:47 p.m. on 22 September as authorities served a search warrant over alleged violations of Republic Act 7076, or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act, in relation to Executive Order 79.

Among the items seized were ball mills, compressors, dynamos, submersible pumps, generator sets, sacks of mine tailings and lime, containers of nitric acid, silver compounds and suspected sodium cyanide reportedly used in gold processing.

The seized equipment and materials were valued at P2,608,900.

The CIDG Quezon Provincial Field Unit conducted the operation with the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, local police units, the Philippine Army, the Buenavista Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and other authorities.

The raid stemmed from a request for police assistance over mining activities allegedly being conducted without the required permit or authorization.

Authorities said unregulated mining without proper environmental safeguards could pose risks to surrounding communities and waterways.

The latest raid was separate from a 3 September operation in the same barangay, where the National Bureau of Investigation seized around 500 sacks of processed and unprocessed gold ore.