Iloilo City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office VI (MGB VI) conducted in August this year a semi-detailed geological mapping of three barangays in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental to identify a potential mineral reservation area.
The proposed mineral reservation straddles the municipalities of Candoni, Cauayan, Hinobaan and Sipalay City. Southern Negros Occidental has mineral potential given that there are existing large-scale mines in the area, although operations stopped in 2002. Existing tenement areas are also included in the proposed mineral reservation. MGB VI held a public hearing in 2016 to present the proposed mineral reservation area.
This is part of the government’s National Mineral Reservation Program that identifies mineralized areas that have a high potential for strategic minerals gold, silver, copper, iron, and rare earth elements (REE) to be possibly declared as a mineral reservation area, said Shimpei A. Francisco, a geologist of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau VI.
Republic Act 7942 or the Mining Act of 1995 states that “when the national interest so requires, such as when there is a need to preserve strategic raw materials for industries critical to national development, or certain minerals for scientific, cultural or ecological value, the President may establish mineral reservations upon the recommendation of the Director through the Secretary.”
Mining operations within a mineral reservation will provide economic benefits such as higher taxes, royalty fees, and fees from permit applications.
Identification of potential mineral reservations involves exploring a large area through semi-detailed geological mapping at 1:10,000 to 1:25,000 scale. Depending on the data, if the area is indeed positive for the needed minerals, a detailed geological mapping on a scale of 1:5,000 or even smaller with drilling of specific areas will be done. However, at this time, our technical capability limits us to discovery drilling.
Francisco said minerals should meet the cut-off grade based on the current standards and market value followed by large-scale companies and this would require resource definition drilling.
Geological mapping has long been recognized as a critical tool in the exploration and assessment of mineral resources. It gives an extensive survey of our country’s geological formations, offering invaluable insights into the distribution, composition, and potential mineral content of our natural resources, Francisco concluded. (MGB VI)