KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews / 15 August) – Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), the developer of the controversial Tampakan project, is collaborating with authorities to curb illegal banlas mining operations in its tenement, a company official said Friday. Joseph Palanca, SMI corporate communications superintendent, gave the assurance following the recent deaths of two alleged illegal miners involved in the highly destructive banlas or sluice mining. He stated that SMI has been coordinating with the regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its attached agency, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), to police its tenement against illegal miners. Palanca explained that enforcing the law within the tenement is a collaborative effort, with SMI providing logistical support and information to authorities. Last Monday, two men drowned in Sitio Campo Kilot, Barangay Pula Bato in Tampakan, South Cotabato, a known banlas mining hotspot within SMI’s tenement. The victims, Richard Sumali and Junrey Samling, were reportedly conducting banlas mining when rampaging waters swept them away. Banlas mining, a destructive method, involves using high-pressure water jets to extract gold ore, which is then panned with mercury. Jose Sebua, president of the Campo Kilot Farmers Association, confirmed the victims were engaged in guerrilla-type banlas mining, which has become rampant in the area. Since 2012, six individuals have died due to banlas operations there. Palanca declined to comment on the incident, noting that Task Force Banlas is investigating the matter. SMI is collaborating with DENR-12 in the investigation and facilitated the area’s inspection. The Soccskargen Environmental Enforcement Task Force has been monitoring illegal mining operations in SMI’s tenement, with a recent raid in Sitio Datal Saub, Barangay Datal Blao in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, resulting in the confiscation of equipment but no arrests. The Tampakan project, spanning Columbio and Tampakan towns, is the largest undeveloped copper and gold minefield in Southeast Asia and among the largest globally. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
