Gold mining eroded Cagayan de Oro uplands, says Xavier Univ. study

Small-scale mining for gold along the Iponan River—one of the seven rivers that run through now flood-ravaged Cagayan de Oro City— has caused “severe erosion,” according to a study of the Kinaadman Research Center of Xavier University (XU), also known as the Ateneo de Cagayan. Erosion fills rivers and other waterways with silt and mud, leaving less space for the flow of water. Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo has told GMA News that "the natural waterways in Cagayan and Iligan could not cope with the large volume of rain" that fell on the country last December 16, which led to flash floods in the cities.   “Severe erosion is found in Tumpagon and Pigsag-an, barangays ensconced on mountainous terrain with varied landscapes and pronounced slopes," the Xavier Magazine said in its report on the XU study published in its July-September 2011 issue.   Vanessa Gorra, author of “The Price of Gold” article in the magazine, reported that there is severe erosion in barangays Tumpagon and Pigsag-an. “According to researchers from the College of Engineering, these areas fall within the landslide risk area,” Gorra’s article said.   “The hydraulic mining for gold along the Iponan has changed the natural landscape and stability of the mountain. Pits created from flush mining (about 50 of them) left craters of 100-500 cubic meters, which could result in massive mudflows to the Iponan River.  Silt deposits are estimated to be around 123 metric tons per year from the upstream barangays,” the article revealed.   “This great deal of sediments has helped turn the once clear water of the Iponan River into the brown, grain-filled watercourse it is today,” the Xavier Magazine article also said.   XU researchers found that half of the residents of the farming community of Pagatpat augment their meager monthly income of P2,500 – P3,000 with P200 to P300 each resident earns from mining for gold.   “Mining is a family affair. The men dig and haul dirt while the women and children segregate rocks from the hauled dirt…Life for the inhabitants revolves around economic survival. Thus, at every opportunity, they shoot for the goldmine, scouring the earth for every last deposit,” Gorra reported. — ELR/HS/KG, GMA News