AN OFFICIAL of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region I underscored the need for “responsible mining” practices in Pangasinan, as he identified 12 ongoing mining projects for 13 minerals in 17 towns and 2 cities.

MGB Mining Engineer Roel Collado, speaking at the Media Forum in Dagupan on Thursday, said Pangaisnan has been identified as a mineral-rich province and at least 13 minerals can be found in the province.

Collado urged current and future mining operators to practice responsible mining, which means taking into consideration three factors: economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity.

He said operators must balance the economic gains from mining with environmental protection and benefits to the affected communities.

MINERALS

Both metallic and non-metallic minerals can be found in Pangasinan, including copper, gold, chromite, magnetite sand, manganese, cement raw materials, agricultural lime, white clay, red clay, sand and gravel, zeolite and bentonite, tuffaceous clay and grabbo.

Existing mining projects are: exploration of copper ore in Dasol and Mabini; offshore exploration of magnetite sand in San Fabian, Dagupan, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador and Sual; small scale mining of manganese in Dasol and Mangatarem; quarry operation of limestone in Alaminos and Mabini; exploration of limestone in Bani, Agno, Dasol, Alaminos City and Sual; exploration of silica in Bugallon; large and small scale mining of silica in Agno and Burgos and; commercial utilization of zeolite and bentonite in Mangatarem.

In the eastern part of the province, listed mining projects are: quarry operation of shale in Villasis and Malasiqui; cement manufacturing in Sison including limestone and shale; and sand and gravel operation both commercial and industrial along major rivers.

In 2010, Pangasinan’s contribution to the mineral production in the country amounted to P396 millio.– (PIA-Pangasinan/VHS)

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