P2.6M mining equipment seized in Quezon raid

BUENAVISTA, Quezon — Authorities seized more than P2.6 million worth of mining equipment, chemicals and processing materials during an operation against an alleged unauthorized small-scale mining site in Barangay Bulo.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said the raid was conducted at around 12:47 p.m. on 22 September through a search warrant issued over alleged violations of Republic Act 7076, or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act.

Recovered during the operation 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.

The seized items were valued at P2,608,900.

The operation was carried out by the CIDG Quezon Provincial Field Unit in coordination with the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, local police units, the Philippine Army, the Buenavista Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and other government personnel.

Investigators said the operation stemmed from reports of mining activities allegedly being conducted without the required permits or authorization.

Authorities are also examining the possible environmental impact of the site, particularly the handling and use of chemicals associated with gold processing.

The 22 September raid was separate from an earlier National Bureau of Investigation operation in the same barangay, where authorities recovered hundreds of sacks of processed and unprocessed gold ore.