March 29, 2024

The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board of Benguet (PMRB) has declared a minahang bayan in Tuba.

The PMRB approved the application of the Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners’ Association, Inc. (BFSSMAI) through a resolution during their meeting on May 6.

The BFSSMAI application covers 31.25 hectares, located at Sitio Camp 6, Barangay Camp 4, Tuba.

The BFSSMAI filed its first application for minahang bayan in November 2013, but the application did not prosper.

In September 2018, the same application was filed by three small-scale mining associations, namely Camp 6 Explorers’ Small-scale Miners’ Association, Inc.; Benguet Golden Hills Small-scale Miners’ Association; and Demonstration Small-scale Miners’ Association. The three groups now comprise the BFSSMAI.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Roy A. Cimatu issued the clearance to declare the area as a minahang bayan after submission of all the required documents and a thorough evaluation by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau central office in April.

The group is now working on the requirements for the awarding of a small-scale mining contract, which will allow the members to proceed with their operations. – Press release