PALAUIG, Zambales – Police, military and agents from the Provincial Task Force Kalikasan here raided and closed down a suspected illegal mining firm operating in this province’s eco-tourism area on Tuesday afternoon.
In a post operation report, Task Force head Wilson Biag identified the firm as Mineral Treasures Mining Corporation (MTMC) and purportedly owned by a Binondo based Chinese businessman, Willy King.
Biag said King was not around when his group raided the mining site atop of Mt. Tapulao, an eco- tourism declared area in barangay Salaza, here.
At least five of King’s men, which include the operations manager and security guards were invited for questioning at the capitol office of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB).
MTMC, formerly known as C-Square Company, is a holder of a Mineral Sharing and Production Agreement (MPSA) issued by the DENR.
But PMRB found out the agreement expired last April 2008 “which makes the whole mining operations illegal.”
Their operation within a protected area worsened their situation as Mt. Tapulao was declared by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as a protected area for eco-tourism projects by virtue of Resolution No. 2008-27 last February 4, 2008.
The 17,809-hectare mountain with a height of about 6,683 feet above sea level is rich in chromite, silver, nickel, gold and copper ores and carpeted with diverse flora and fauna, bonsai plants, orchids and adorned with eight waterfalls.
Governor Amor D. Deloso immediately issued a closure order upon learning of the company’s reported violations.
Reports said the team also neutralized a roadway checkpoint which was illegally built and allegedly used by MTMC guards who were found possessing unlicensed firearms.
Also impounded include two mini bulldozers; one drilling machine, exploration equipment; two generators; two carts; several pieces of metal rails; five train carts used in hauling down chromite minerals blocks and ores from established mining pits and tunnels.
The Kalikasan task force which comprises police, military soldiers and PMRB team operatives also confiscated at least five thousand metric tons of chromite ores stockpiled in various locations at the mining site.
The team also found many fallen Benguet pines or locally known specie here as tapulao trees which were reportedly used as support to the mining tunnels.
In a post operation report, Task Force head Wilson Biag identified the firm as Mineral Treasures Mining Corporation (MTMC) and purportedly owned by a Binondo based Chinese businessman, Willy King.
Biag said King was not around when his group raided the mining site atop of Mt. Tapulao, an eco- tourism declared area in barangay Salaza, here.
At least five of King’s men, which include the operations manager and security guards were invited for questioning at the capitol office of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB).
MTMC, formerly known as C-Square Company, is a holder of a Mineral Sharing and Production Agreement (MPSA) issued by the DENR.
But PMRB found out the agreement expired last April 2008 “which makes the whole mining operations illegal.”
Their operation within a protected area worsened their situation as Mt. Tapulao was declared by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as a protected area for eco-tourism projects by virtue of Resolution No. 2008-27 last February 4, 2008.
The 17,809-hectare mountain with a height of about 6,683 feet above sea level is rich in chromite, silver, nickel, gold and copper ores and carpeted with diverse flora and fauna, bonsai plants, orchids and adorned with eight waterfalls.
Governor Amor D. Deloso immediately issued a closure order upon learning of the company’s reported violations.
Reports said the team also neutralized a roadway checkpoint which was illegally built and allegedly used by MTMC guards who were found possessing unlicensed firearms.
Also impounded include two mini bulldozers; one drilling machine, exploration equipment; two generators; two carts; several pieces of metal rails; five train carts used in hauling down chromite minerals blocks and ores from established mining pits and tunnels.
The Kalikasan task force which comprises police, military soldiers and PMRB team operatives also confiscated at least five thousand metric tons of chromite ores stockpiled in various locations at the mining site.
The team also found many fallen Benguet pines or locally known specie here as tapulao trees which were reportedly used as support to the mining tunnels.
