Up to 180 small-scale mining tunnels in Barangay Limonda, Opol, Misamis Oriental were shut down on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

The closure stemmed from the cease and desist order issued by Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Northern Mindanao (MGB-10).

The operation was carried out by the Task Force Kinaiyahan and Kalinaw, together with police operatives.

Provincial Administrator Celso Abocejo said the mining sites were not only operated by residents of Opol but were also financed by individuals from outside the province.

“Ang na-inventory nga bangag or mina naa sa mga 180 ka bangag. Ang among nadunggan ug na validate naay gikan sa lain-laing lugar as far as Davao city ang ga finance para maghimo ug illegal nga mina,” Abocejo said.

Abocejo added that the illegal mining operations may have been running without permits since 2022, involving at least 5,000 people.

Police had conducted several anti-illegal mining operations in the area over the past weeks.

“Kining cease and desist order na-issue niadtong January 22, 2025 nag-conduct na sila og previous operation ang uban naay nagbalik gihapon so karon ato na gyud gipanghingusgan ug mas intensified atong operation nga gihimo,” Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office Director, Col. Al Abanales, said.

It can be recalled that Governor Juliette Uy announced that the provincial government planned to convert the area into a “Minahan ng Bayan” so that the community itself will benefit directly from the natural resources.

“Human ani i-facilitate ang pag proseso sa permit sa minahan ng bayan kay ang gusto sa gobernadora nga ang dapat mabulahan sa gasa sa ginoo nga gihatag dili ang lain tao kung dili ang komunidad sa barangay limunda,” Abocejo said.