A Position Paper on Restriction of Mining in the Philippines

By: Angelica D. Bedia

Introdution

Mining of stones and metals has been a human activity since pre-historic times. Modern
mining process involve prospecting for more bodies, analysis of the profit potential of a
proposed mine, extraction of the desired materials and final rehabilitation of land after the mine
is closed. The rapid population and industrial growth, combined with our demand for material
things has created environmental issues throughout the world and the philippines is no exception
of this fact. Environment damage bfrom various sources grown to the extent that it is having a
serious and visible impact on communities and the people involved. It is upon closer
examination, a sacrifice which seems to be acceptable in the interest of developmental impacts,
both during the mining activity and after the mine closed. Mining proces of digging mines to
obtain minerals, metals, and jewels to serves as the livelihood to every human being.

Counter Arguments

Mining, it has various advantages and disadvantages that affects the environment and the
lives of evry human being in the Philippines. It gives people some of the resources needed for
modern civilization, but it can lead to environmental harm. Some are the opposite and based on
opposition to destructive mining practices and others dislike minings in general. Humand need a
wide range of natural resources to create the products modern civilization needs. While
alternatives forms of energy are becoming more worthwhile, most of the ares ned coal, natural
gas and uranium to provides energy.

Mining is one of the resourcs thet mostly common filipinos choose as their source of
living. The people around community need also to plant more trees for renewable resources and
for the carbon dioxide. So at the mining, there will be the possibility of gaining more
nutrientsfrom the soil. It is the development for the community certainly the rapid out-growth of
resources.

Mining decreases the natural resources that is supplied by nature, if it is irresponsible and
have mismanagement in mining, there is also a possibility of pollution in land, air, and water.
Just like every time there is landslides and floods that softens the soil in the mountinous part. The
mines thereselves need to take risks so that they could raise their own families and help them out
to survive. Just like if there is an earthquake, the lives of the miners will be in danger because
there is possibility that the place will be destroyed and broken down that could lead to death.
My Arguments

A mine is a pit of tunnel wherein a miner used to dig in getting minerals such as coal,
gold, and diamonds are taken. According to Josephine Maguad, Senior Environmental
Management Specialist of EMB- Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR)
mining is an employment for economic growth in a certain country, it increase also the revenue
for the miners as well as for the government fund, it is a source of livelihood for the people
around a certain area. Around 65% of the Philippines cannot be mined under current laws and
executive orders despite the vast potential of the country as a source of minerals. Meanwhile,
mining is destructive to the environment, but Represantative Carlos Padilla of the lone district of
Nueva Viscaya is prioritizing the agriculture over mining.

#1 Mining in the Philippines undoubtedly helps the country with minerals and jobs , but it
is exaggerating to say that it is the way to development. Mining is not bad, but it is not good
either. Absolute abolishment of mining should be implemented. The minerals that are being
extracted are non-renewable and cannot be grown again. The damage done by mining operations
leaves a mark for a long time. Thus, beware to misleading and irresponsible mining here in the
philippines.

#2 The minig extraction in the country has been cvonsidered as one of the major
offenders of the environment. Mining industries often cause severe tailings of bodies of water
which adversely affect its inhabitants such as fish. The extraction of minerals has also been
considered as one of the most environmentally destructve man-made activities. Logged-over
areas can at least still be farmed, but mined-out areas have rarely been rehabilitated and remain
useless eyesores and disasters waiting to happen. Mining also often results in the devastation of
landscape.

#3 Mining operates usully happen in rural areas since mineral resources are typically
found in deep parts of land that are unattached and formed from long time ago. Minerals that are
being mined are non-renewable resources, once used, it cannot be used again. Although mining
provides jobs, precious resources, and alleviates poverty, it destroys the environment, affects the
livelihood of the food producers, and harms the ecology of the philippines.

Conclusions

We say that large investors are very good to our economy, but at the long run. Mining
laws and legal and technical capacity in many countries still need to be enhance in order to
include new recommended good mining practices. The good signs about this are the responsible
mining companies tend to adopt eveywhere good mining procedures according to the best
standards, although this might be far from being the general behavior yet. Its activities should be
intertwined with sustainable development goals and ensure that present and future generations
will have resources or alternative means to satisfy their basic needs of food, water, and energy.