Ilocos Norte bans black sand mining

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte approved a resolution banning black sand mining in the province on October 16, 2013.

The board also urged the recall of permits issued by government agencies and voided endorsements by local governments to mining applicants.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Joel Garcia, the resolution’s sponsor, said Ilocos Norte should ban black sand mining and learn from the experiences of Ilocos Norte’s neighboring provinces of Cagayan and Ilocos Sur, where residents, environment advocates and church-based organizations have complained about water contamination and damage to the marine ecosystem from black sand extraction.

“Mining, in whatever form, has an impact on the environment,” said SP member Vicentito M. Lazo.

The board resolution, however, is silent about other types of small- and large-scale mining activities which are among the province’s biggest local revenue earners.

Next to ecotourism, mining ranks second among five preferred investment areas of Ilocos Norte, as advertised in the provincial government website.

There are 158 applications for onshore and offshore magnetite mining in the Ilocos region, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Eighty six of these applications cover Ilocos Norte towns and cities: Badoc (6), Pinili (3), Paoay (3), Laoag (3), Currimao (4), Bacarra (3), Pasuquin (13), Burgos (4), Bangui (1), Pagudpud (2), Batac (1), Banna (5), Nueva Era (7), Marcos (6), Solsona (3), Carasi (5), Dingras (5), Vintar (6), Adams (2), Piddig (3) and Dumalneg (1).

The mineral rich town of Carasi, Ilocos Norte, is host to an iron-ore mining and processing facility. 

Romeo Angay, acting Ilocos Norte provincial environment and natural resources officer, said the agency has approved two mining applications for iron ore that cover the towns of Nueva Era and Carasi.

Ilocos Norte’s environmental sector has condemned all forms of mining in the province and has pushed for alternative industries to boost its economy without sacrificing its natural resources.

Black sand mining’s main market is said to be China with Chinese firms reportedly behind the operations of black sand mines in parts of Cagayan and the Ilocos regions.