DASOL– A task force from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 1 intercepted 12 ten-wheeler trucks loaded with illegally extracted mineral ores in Barangay Poblacion here on Sept. 1.

DENR Regional Director Paquito Moreno Jr said the mineral ores with a total volume of 3,000 metric tons were extracted from Cordon, Isabela and transported to Barangay Barlo here for processing.

The DENR intercepting team was backed up by local police here headed by P/Sr. Insp. Dennis Cabigat.

One of the drivers, who requested not to be named, said they would be paid one thousand pesos after delivering the mineral ores to a processing plant in Dasol town.

Dasol Mayor Eric Versoza hailed the apprehension saying that “these heavy trucks have been causing destruction of (our) municipal roads.”

The ore transport permit (OTP), dated August 24, 2016, issued in favor of Golden Summit Mining Corporation by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board Office of Isabela and to expire on September 23, 2016.

But Moreno claimed that the OTP is spurious since all small-scale mining operations in Isabela have been suspended.

However, while Engr. Renato Rimando of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of DENR Region 1, said the OTP appears valid on its face, the commodity indicated in the document and the actual contents of the apprehended trucks are different.

The OTP indicated mine tailings and waste materials but what was discovered were freshly broken mineralized rocks and ores, said Rimando.

MGB Region 1 Regional director Carlos Tayag took custody of the 12 trucks and presently placed under the watch of the Dasol Police Office for safekeeping.

Criminal charges for theft of minerals will be filed against the officers of Golden Summit Mining Corp. along with the truck drivers and helpers with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Pangasinan. (Tita Roces)

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