Residents of Paracale, Camarines Norte expressed alarm during the April 23 public consultation in Barangay Tawig for the planned open-pit mining in their community. They faced the mining company and representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau 5 in the consultation.

Residents expressed strong frustration over EMB’s failure to answer their questions and concerns about the effects of mining on their livelihood and the environment. The company instead effectively spoke in behalf of the agency, which itself likewise failed to explain properly. They were even told that “if you oppose mining, revert your concrete house to bamboo… if you have a cellphone, you should agree to mining or just discard your phone!”

Residents fear the environmental impact of mining’s large-scale land excavation, tailings or chemical waste that pollute rivers and the sea, landslides and flooding, and the loss of livelihood of small-scale miners and fisherfolk. The project may displace affected communities.

The church of Daet, Camarines Norte also firmly opposed the planned open-pit mining. Bishop Herman Abcede urged the people to protect the environment.

He said mining inflicts three deep wounds: to the environment, which may never heal; to people, particularly fisherfolk and farmers who will bear the damage while profits go to a few; and to the soul of the community because of the threat of rising vices and family breakdown.

“Gold glitters, but the wounds of nature remain… if gold sacrifices water, environment, health, and the future, it is not a blessing but a temptation that must be rejected,” the bishop’s letter said.

He said being “neutral” is inappropriate at a time when lives are at risk. He called on the government to prioritize the welfare of the people.

Owned by Golden River Mining Corporation, Paracale Gold Project will manage the project. It will cover 321.46 hectares of land in barangays Casalugan, Tawig, and Tugos. The entire operation will last around nine years, from exploration to site rehabilitation after mining.

The company is currently applying for a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement and an Environmental Compliance Certificate.

The company will allegedly no longer undergo the exploration stage because Golden River Mining has been registered since 1968. It claims that its long study of the area has already surpassed the first stage of mineral research.

Aside from Golden River Mining, other companies have also expressed interest in mining in Paracale. These include Benguet Corporation, Base Metals Minerals Resources, Placer Dome Philippines/Placer Philippines Exploration Ltd, Coral Resources Philippines Incorporated, Precious Metals Minerals and Development Corporation, and Bulawan Mineral Resources Corporation.