The Mines and Geosciences Bureau - Regional Office No. 13 (MGB-13) disclosed that as of June 30, 2017, there are 25 mining companies operating with permit in Caraga region in Philippines.
Caraga is the newest region of the Philippines, also designated as Region XIII. It is comprises four provinces, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
Philippine Republic's Province of Agusan del Norte is located in northern Mindanao. Its population is slightly over 550,000, of which number about half live in Butuan City with the rest apportioned among eleven towns. Butuan City contains an airport, and the neighboring town of Nasipit contains an international seaport.
Of those 25 mining companies are 21 operating under a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA); two with Mineral Processing Permit (MPP); and two under Joint Operating Agreement (JOA).
Engr. Roger de Dios, regional director of MGB-13 said during a press conference on 1 of July that out from the total approved mining permit area of 180,070.14 hectares, two percent or 3,326.79 hectares is the total active mining area in the region.
“This can be translated that the total active mining area of 3,326.79 hectares covers only 0.17 percent of the 1,913,842 hectares total Caraga land area,” said de Dios.
As further discussed, De Dios explained that the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) initial phase financial requirement is 10 percent of the total capital or project cost. In which, the annual EPEP obligation would be a minimum of three to five percent of the total of direct mining and milling costs.
“The approved annual EPEP budget for CY 2016 was P2,792,802,380.29. The EPEP is the comprehensive and strategic environmental management plan for the life of the mining project on which annual EPEPs are based and implemented to achieve the environmental management objectives, criteria and commitments including protection and rehabilitation of the disturbed environment,” said De Dios.
With regard to mineral resources data on sales, the total amount of commodity (gold, silver, chromite, nickel, mixed minerals) sold in 2016 has reached to P42,442,433,793.95 (US$894,340,264.06).
“This has resulted to a royalty tax collection in the amount of P1,040,219,896.59 and a computed excise tax of P710,046,977.66,” said De Dios.
He also added that the IP share collection for CY 2016 in Caraga region totals to P244,662,290.03.
On the other hand, De Dios underscored the significant roles of the contractors to assist in the development of its mining communities and promotion of general welfare of its inhabitants, including the development of science and mining technology through the Social Development Management Program (SDMP)