The Tampakan mining site straddles several communities of indigenous peoples that will be relocated once the production phase of the mines starts. (Photo by Bong S. Sarmiento)
By LiCAS.news
Aug 17 2021
A diocese in the southern Philippines has launched a signature campaign on Monday, August 16, to oppose moves to lift a ban on open-pit mining in the province of South Cotabato.
Bishop Cerilo Casicas of Marbel said the diocese calls on the provincial government to “stand firm in its duty to ensure the safety, convenience, and well-being of its constituents.”
The prelate said the local government must “protect the people and the environment” by upholding the Provincial Environment Code that prohibits open-pit mining operations.
Open-pit mining, also known as open-cast or open-cut mining and in larger contexts mega-mining, is a surface mining technique of extracting rock or minerals from the earth from an open-air pit.
It is opposed by pro-environment groups because the process causes changes to vegetation, soil, and bedrock, which ultimately contributes to changes in surface hydrology and groundwater levels.
“There are people who are lobbying before the provincial government to lift the ban on open-pit mining. We cannot allow that to happen,” said the prelate.
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