Miners may be trapped in second Paracale mine collapse

Ten months after a similar accident in the area that killed two people, parts of a mine in the Camarines Norte town of Paracale—where gold is the main source of livelihood for small-scale miners—collapsed when water seeped inside. In a report on GMA News TV’s News To Go on Wednesday, Paracale Mayor Romeo Moreno said according to police reports, the incident happened at around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, and as of now it has yet to be determined if there are people in the mine. “Wala pa po tayong kumpirmado at talagang magpapatunay na mayroong natirang tao sa ilalim pero base sa information sa area is mayroon,” Moreno said. “So ang pinakamagandang gawin po dito is syempre papasukin yun, gagamit ng compressor para malaman natin kung may mga taong naiwan sa loob,” he also said. According to the mayor, the incident happened because some parts of wells in the mine collapsed. “Bale iyong mga pagitan nitong mga ilang balon siguro medyo hindi na matibay yung pagitan ng magkakatabing balon so nag-collapse ito, pinasok ng tubig at sa ngayon flooded iyong area,” Moreno said. Paracale is rich in gold ore, and it has been reported that large deposits can be found in various riverbeds, flood plains, and even sink holes in the area. In January, two people from the town were killed when a mine collapsed following continuous rains. Moreno acknowledged the danger of small-scale mining activities, and that these are prohibited. However, he said, mining for gold is  an important source of livelihood for many people in the town. “Talagang [ang small-scale mining] ipinagbabawal natin at in fact talaga namang bawal ang small-scale mining,” Moreno said. “Kaya lang grabe talaga iyong tigas ng ulo ng mga kababayan namin dahil ito lang iyong number one na source of living ng aming kababayan,” he continued. Moreno said police have now been deployed in the area to stand guard and prevent other would-be miners from going there. He also mentioned asking assistance from the national government to help provide alternative livelihoods for the people in his town. — Gian C. Geronimo/BM, GMA News