As Apollo Global subsidiary JDVC Resources Corporation starts its operations this month, mining regulators will closely monitor the extraction of black sand in Cagayan province. This, in spite of the many environmental groups protesting the operations.

Responding to these groups, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Wilfredo Moncano said, “JDVC has undergone environmental impact assessment and the company was issued an ECC, which means environmental issues have been considered by the EMB. Mining in shoreline is prohibited but offshore mining is allowed. If it is at least 1,500 meters from the shoreline going out to the sea, it is allowed. What is important is that the JDVC will not cause damage to the coastal or marine ecosystem.”

On the other hand, magnetite mining in rivers such as the Cagayan River is allowed – as long as the purpose is for rehabilitation or restoration.

“Black sand mining is also part of the purposes that’s why we will assess the mineral content of the river channel,” he said. “If the magnetite sand contained surpasses the threshold of 6 per cent, we will charge the company of 4-per cent excise tax. Every shipment will undergo mineral assessment. Even before shipment, there will be a mineral assessment.”

He said that the regional directors of DENR will learn how to compute taxes based on mineral assessment implemented during offshore mining.

“There is a formula for computing taxes to be imposed on minerals extracted for black sand and it depends on the market value of the mineral and the content of the ores,” he said.

source: https://www.philippine-resources.com/post/mining-regulators-to-closely-monitor-black-sand-extraction