Green group calls for plan to prevent toxic chemical use in small-scale mining

Atty. Richard Gutierrez of the group Ban Toxics called on the government to draft a comprehensive plan which would prevent the rampant use of toxic chemicals in small-scale mining activities in the country.

 

The environmental lawyer warned during the two-day Second National Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Summit in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte this week that another chemical could be used once a mercury ban is in full force in the country.

 

“Today mercury is the hot topic, tomorrow, it could be another chemical. We all know that chemicals use in this sector is rampant. It would serve the government to develop a comprehensive plan when it comes to chemical use in small-scale mining," Gutierrez said.

 

Gutierrez said EO 79, the executive order on mining, has a "piece-meal" approach in terms of chemical use in small-scale mining. Section 11 of the EO addresses the use of mercury, saying "the use of mercury in small-scale mining shall be strictly prohibited." 

 

This specific ban on mercury in itself is in need of a further Government response. Specifically, Gutierrez suggested the drafting of a national storage program and the establishment of a facility that will handle the surplus mercury once a ban on the said chemical is in full force.

 

He also urged the government to place import bans and stamp out the illegal mercury trade. He cited unofficial reports pointing to a large illegal mercury trade that supplies the needs of small-scale miners in the country.

 

Studies have shown that long exposure to mercury affects the nervous and immune systems and digestive tracts of humans. The World Health Organization also said that the elemental or metallic mercury vaporizes readily and can stay for up to a year in the atmosphere.

 

"It is high time that mercury is taken out of circulation... Let us put life back in livelihoods. Respect health and the environment in the pursuit of livelihood," Gutierrez said.

 

Ban Toxics is an environment and social justice group working to eliminate the use of mercury in small-scale mining industries, schools and other sectors. — DVM, GMA News