The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), R02 through the
leadership of Regional Director Mario A. Ancheta strengthened the
Regional Task Force to put a stop to illegal mining operations within the Region.
From January to present,
it already issued 2 stoppage orders to Lutra Company at Aparri, Cagayan for putting up a mineral processing
plant without necessary permit and to Anthony Arugay of Larion Alto for illegally quarrying within the 1 kilometer buffer
zone at Josefa Bridge, Alimanao, Penablanca,
Cagayan.
The RTF also recommended
to the Governor who issued the Small-scale Mining Permit the issuance of
a Stoppage Order to Well Resource Mining at Sta. Cruz,
Gonzaga for operating within the 200-meter buffer zone and without a Mineral Processing Permit.
Aside from the immediate action on complaints against illegal mining
activities, the RTF conducted a region-wide inventory of all illegal
small-scale mining operations and submitted the result to the Central Office
for evaluation and proper action.