A man was arrested during an operation against alleged illegal large-scale mining activities in Barangay Nangcaon, Opol, Misamis Oriental.

According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Northern Mindanao (MGB-10), the man arrested was an operator of a hydraulic excavator. He was arrested while allegedly extracting sand, gravel, and other fluvial materials without authorization.

Seized during the operation were three hydraulic excavators, 10 water pumps, several hoses, sluice mats, sluice boxes, a wooden pan, and a sack containing receipts and transaction logs linking the mining operation to the sale of extracted materials.

“Drone footage and ground verification revealed a 4.88-hectare disturbed area with excavation depths averaging three meters, confirming the large-scale and sustained nature of the illegal activity and highlighting the severe environmental degradation of the river system,” MGB-10 said.

The man arrested man is facing charges for theft of minerals under Republic Act 7942 and violation of the Water Code of the Philippines.

MGB-10 said based on intelligence reports, a barangay official was allegedly involved in the illegal operation.

“Further investigation is underway to ensure that all responsible parties, particularly those in positions of power, are held fully accountable,” MGB-10 added.