Thursday, March 7, 2019

Environmental & Health Impacts of Mining on Surrounding Communities

Background of the aim INTRODUCTION To achieve rapid economic development, numerous countries resort to versatile activities to use and take advantage of natural resources. One of such activities is mine. Thus, dig became an important activity which has potential for the contribution of development of aras enriched with resources. Having visited Surigao Del Norte once a month starting February until August of this year, I was deeply frustrated by the negative stupor of excavation in the state. I saw how communities touched by minelaying.I heard how original citizenry had been shifted off their lands to make modality for archeological site and how their consultation rights had been ignored. I saw polluted rivers, destroyed mangrove forests, damaged coral and ruined agriculture. I concluded that Surigao del Norte is in risk of exposure of losing much of its rich biodiversity and damaging the lives of unique indigenous cultures. Surigao Del Norte is a body politic of the Philippines located in Caraga Region in Mindanao. It has a population of or so 450,000 retraces between the antithetic groups which can non be accurately distinguished.It has an theatre of trading operations of 2,740 squ ar kilometers. It embraces at bottom its domain 27 municipalities and a comp matchlessnt city. Mangrove is the major topic in the coastal aras of the land. It has overly many caves and tunnels in its islands. The ironwood forests of the province atomic number 18 nonp beil of the watersheds most productive resources. By its nature, it is growing and fitting to a mineralized soil. So it should be coverfully managed for sustained productivity. Its biggest islands are usually mountainous and rich in minerals. Its islands flummox one of the worlds widest deposit of atomic number 28 and chromite.The smaller ones either rest on sand and gravel or micturate a limestone base bonded by boulders ( large rounded mound of rock lying on the surface of the grou nd or infix in the soil ), reefs, and sandbars. There are as well springs, lagoons, caves, waterfalls, mangroves, marshes and whirlpools which made the province more appealing to all nature lovers. Surigao is home to the Mamanwa ethnic tribe. The department of Labor and Employment Caraga Region released an official list of mine companies in Caraga for 2012 Inspection.There are 35 mining companies declared in the list that infinitely operate in the whole region. And on that point are other non registered mining companies that are not include in the list that are prosecute mining consummations. minelaying activities pack lots of purlieual and health impacts. This has derived from the methods of operation by the mining companies, of course it has effectuate on the natural environment as intimately as the people in the environ communities. financial statement OF THE PROBLEMSurigao del Norte has a variety of mineral resources and corrispondingly theres large-scale minin g companies invested more and spread out their operations in the province. Nickel production in the province is henpecked by these large mining companies that are operating(a) in different communities in Surigao del Norte. The three giant and controversial mining companies located in the province are Tag-anito High Pressure Acid Leaching (THPAL-Sumitomo), Tag-anito archeological site Corporation (TMC), and the Platinum fortunate Metal Corporation (PGMC).The giant Tag-anito Mining Corporation (TMC) is one of three mining companies of the Nickel Asia Corporation in Surigao del Norte owned by Manny Zamora, located at Brgy. Taganito,Claver. The TMC has ravaged the orbit for many geezerhood and has immensely destroyed the environment of the province. It has ruined both brisk water and marine sources, devastated mountains, violated the rights of the indigenous people and workers. The Platinum Gold Metal Corporation (PGMC) is mining atomic number 28 ore for foreign buyers with a st omach to operate chthonian the name of Mr. Atayde, but is currently operated by one Mrs.Tata Dasmarinas Marahomsar. Millions of tons of nickel ore wear already been plundered and shipped to imperialist countries, which has resulted in the total effacement of forest and mountains deep down its concession, as well as the destruction of rivers and seas. Almost all workers in this company are under contract-basis. This gigantic Tag-anito High Pressure Acid Leaching Plant (THPAL), which processes nickel, is in general owned by the Japanese imperialist Sumitomo Mining Corporation, which is in confederacy or connaivance with the Nickel Asia Corporation owned by Manny Zamora.Its operation uses massive quantities of sulfuric acid that is highly toxic to both humans and environment. It is also a coal-fired plant that exhausts out tons upon tons of highly toxic fumes into the atmosphere. The said plant also only processes millions of tons of inferior nickel ore coming from different min es from the four provinces of Caraga, as they prefer to exporting high grade nickel ore to foreign countries. At the rate they are currently mining both low and high grade nickel ore, in the net few decades, the environment in the province volition be completely destroyed.The method of extraction that is mostly utilise by these mining companies is open- hell. It is a kind of surface mining that the mining companies take a shit to get rocks and minerals out of the ground be motive it is easiest and cheapest way. The top of the layers of the land are removed. afterwardswards that, layer after layer is taken away until the rock or mineral is visible. This is taken out and processed. Taking away layer after layer of land creates a gigantic, open hole or pit that keeps getting deeper and deeper until there is nothing left to bring out.Heavy machines are utilise for this purpose. The use of heavy machines and chemicals surreptitious do not only cause instability within the earth crust but also underground water which serves as source of water to various waterbodies in the knowledge domain are affected by infiltration of toxic materials. Also, explosives bid dynamites are used to blast the large rocks out of the earth. The loud commotion and the vibrations from the blasts have affected people within the environ communities. There is also outlet of poisonous chemicals used in the process in drainage to nearby streams.This causes aquatic life loss, as these chemicals are highly toxic. It also seeps smoothen into the soil causing plant roots to die. The combination of inadequate tax shelter measures and natural hazards can be and has been calamitous. The provinces record of mining incidents is manifest of this. nett January 2011, Surigao del Norte was under state of calamity as several towns were hit by floodwaters . Numerous houses were totally and partially damaged, and the floods killed number of people. Families from barangays provincewide were aff ected.Last October 2011 more than 200 firmly armed New Peoples Army rebels attacked three mining companies in Surigao del Norte, burn down heay equipment, disarming guards and briefly holding several people in their attack. This infringe between the rebels and the mining companies had made the local people alarmed and troubled. These incidents are proof how mining brought distruction on the livelihoods, health and even the human rights of indigenous people and other local communities of Surigao del Norte.These environmental, health, and social set up of mining activities have been attracting attention, thus, need to be addressed. Although, the mining company is believed to have made locomote to improve health conditions of residents within the surrounding communities, however, the extent to which these efforts are minify the negative environmental and health impacts is yet to be established. For instance, the three mentioned large mining companies in the province said that th eir top priority is local employment in the communities they operate.Also they claim that they are engaged in environmentally responsible practices in their mining operations, complied with local and national guidelines and programs on the rescue and restoration of the environment. But it is clear in the incidents happened in the province that their missions/vissions to care for the environment and community are not met. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY In line with the problems outlined above, the aim of this look for is to answer the following concerns a. What are the do of the method(s) used in mining on the environment? b. What are the health set up of mining on the people living in Surigao del Norte? . What measures have been put by the government and other organizations to constrain the negative effects (environmental & health) of mining activities on the people of Surigao del Norte? Accordingly, the main objective of the study was to assure the environmental and health impacts of Surigao del Norte on the surrounding communities. The specific objectives were to 1. 3. 1 view the methods of mining operations and their effects on the environment and health of the people. 1. 3. 2 Determine and examine the measures of the mentioned mining companies (TMC, PDMC,THPAL) in ensuring the safety of residents in the surrounding communities. . 3. 3 Assess the role of the Chamber of Mines Caraga Region, inc. , Department of environsal and graphic Resources (DENR), local anesthetic Government Units (LGU), and Non government organizations (NGOs). 1. 4 HYPOTHESES 1. 4. 1 Appreciation of mining effects on the environment by residents is related to their number of geezerhood of stay in the communities. 1. 4. 2 Knowledge of mining effects on health is positively related to age of schooling (education). 1. 4. 3 The infections/diseases among residents are related to mining activities. 1. 6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGYThe data collected included background data on respondents, aware ness, perception and effects of mining within the surrounding communities. Also data on the methods of the mentioned mining companies were collected, as well as data on the effects of their operations. Also data hinderanceal measures of the organizations composite were collected. 1. 7 Sources of Data and Methods of Data Collection Data for this study were from chief(a) and secondary sources. Primary data included administering of questionnaires in the field to residents of surrounding communities of the mining companies and some mine workers.There were also interviews with staff and officials of the mentioned mining companies (TMC,PDMC,THPAL) as well as officials of government agencies such as LGU and DENR for relevant information. Moreover, there were field observations to the mine sites and other areas to determine the effects of mining operations on the environment. Secondary data were gathered from books, relevant articles from journals and reports of researches conducted on the effects of mining operations on the surrounding communities. There were data also obtained from library of Far Eastern University Makati, internet and other sources. SAMPLING origination 5 people were randomly selected for the execution of a detailed questionnaire. The confession of the sample size lies in the fact that the time and resources available were not enough to cover the entire area with its whole population. CONCEPTUAL example Provision of Health Facilities Land Degradation The conceptual framework shows the impact of mining on the environment and the health of people. Mining method used by mining companies in surigao is open-pit ( surface mining). The method used have environmental and health impacts.Opininon of Respondents on Effects of Mining on the Environment years of Staying in town Do Methods affect the environment? Yes No Total 1-4 years 3 3 5-8 years 2 2 9-12 years 13-16 years 2 2 17-20 years 3 3 21-24 years 2 2 25-28 years 5 5 29-32 years 1 1 33-36 year s 1 1 37-40 years 6 6 41+ years Total 25 25 It is evident from the table that those who have stayed longer period within the mining area gave a large percent attestation that mining methods affect the environment. The analytic thinking confirms that the years of staying in town affect respondents knowledge on mining effects on the environment.Therefore , the first hypothesis is validated. Table 2. Respondents responses to environmental effects of mining on the locality Effects of Mining Frequency destiny Land Degradation 17 32. 08 Air Pollution 12 22. 64 Water Pollution 15 28. 3 Noise Pollution 9 16. 98 Total 53 nose candy NB The total absolute frequency is exceeding 25 because there were lot of respondents famed more than one form of effect. The highest percentage of the respondents noted that contributes environmental problem is land debasement followed by water pollution , air pollution , then noise pollution.The pollution are associated with mining activities in their respe ctive communities. Table 3. Respondents views on relationship between mining and health by education Years of education Are diseases related to mining? Yes No Total none (illiterate) 3 3 6 7-9 yrs ( basic) 4 4 10-15yrs ( secondary) 4 3 7 16-18 yrs ( tertiary) 8 8 Total 19 6 25 Approximately 76% of the respondents asserted that the diseases endemic diseaseal in their communities were as a result of the mining activities , while 24% disproving this claim.The analysis also shows that the years of schooling of respondents (education) affected the views of respondents on relationship of diseases endemic in the area of mining activities. For those with higher years of schooling (10-18 yrs. ) asserted that mining activities had caused diseases endemic in the area. The second hypothesis that knowledge of mining effects on health is positively related to education levels of respondents is therefore validated. Table 4. Diseases oft contracted by respondents Diseases Frequency Percentage Ma laria 2 8 dissipation 11 44 Skin Diseases 4 16 Fever 5 20 Cough and colds 3 12 Total 5 100 Most of the respondents complained of incidence of diarrhoea from mining activities. Then some noted infections of fever, skin diseases, cough and colds ,then malaria. Health effects associated with the mining activities are noteworthy. The research revealed that there is high prevalent rate of diseases such as diarrhea and other infections among residents which were direct and indirect effects of mining activities. Summary of query and Findings The research examined the mining methods of the three mining companies (TMC,PGMC, THPAL) and their environmental and health effects on the surrounding communities.Moreover, measures being put in place by the mining companies to moderate the environmental, health and other socio-economic effects of their activities on the people of Surigao del Norte. Also the roles of some mankind sector mining diligence entertain organizations were also examined. The three big mining companies that are currently operating in the province of Surigao del Norte, on their part, have realized the effects of their activities on the people living in the communities and have sought to institute measures to reduce and moderate the environmental, health, and other effects on the people.Measures that have been undertaken which include reforestation, relocation and compensation to affected communities, and providing resource sources of drinking water to communities whose water resources have been contaminated with toxic chemicals. On health, the mining companies have built clinics and health posts within the communities for the benefit of both workers and people within the communities.With the view to ensuring get out conditions for residents within the mining area, some public sector mining industry attendant organizations such as Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region, also government agencies like Department of environmental and Natural Resources (DEN R) and Local Government Units contributed their contributed efforts of restoration. The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources whose primary duty is to ensure that mining companies undertake their operations in conformity with the laws, is responsible for the monitoring of mining activities from time to time.The Local Government Units, as a government agency responsible for tax and imposing charges for mining companies that are operating in communities of the province , ensures that the but amounts were collected from these mining companies. Also LGU implemented and supervised social support programmes in mining areas. The Chamber of Mines in Caraga Region (CNC), the peak mineral industry association not only in Surigao del Norte but in the whole Caraga Region, represents the collective entertain of companies involved in mineral exploration, production, and touch on in the province.The chamber has not only functioned to promote and protect the interest and image of th e mining industry but has also committed itself to addressing mining related environmental and socio-economic problems. This is evident in the Chambers commitment in initiating alternative livelihood programmes and executing its corporate social responsibility in server communities of mining activities. CNC initiated inland rehabilitation and reforestation in the Surigao del Norte province. It initiated and committed near 5 hectares of mined-portion for rehabilitation and reforestation.The activity involved re-contouring of the area, backfilling of the topsoil, preparation of site, and planting of endemic and exotic tree species. Despite of the efforts by these organizations in ensuring that mining activities are carried out on sustainable basis without serious problems to the environment and the armament communities, the public is yet to feel the impact of their activities. A critical discernment of their activities therefore shows that there is more to be achieved than what ha s been accomplished so cold as far as environmental and health problems in the mining industry are concerned.Conclusion In as much as we bonk the economic benefits of mining activities in Surigao del Norte, there is the need also to grapple the environmental and health hazards that come with it in order to find shipway of dealing with them. It must be recommended that further researches are conducted into the assessment of intervention measures adopted andimplemented by mining companies and stakeholder organizations in reducing and moderating the economic, social,environmental and health impacts of mining activities on the people in the surrounding communities.There should be livelihood from the government and other institutions for researches conducted, with a move to educate the general public on the need to provide information needed for researches since they will ultimately lead to the development of the country. There is the need for an effective collaboration and coordin ation among governmental agencies and others so that they can perform their roles effectively in dealing with the environmental and health problems associated with mining activities within the affected communities.

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