SURVIVAL In this photo taken on June 29, small-scale miners work in muddy waters at an excavated gold mining site in Barobo, Surigao del Sur, where many upland families depend on gold panning for a living despite growing concerns over its environmental impact. —Chris V. Panganiban
MANILA, Philippines — Government mining arm, Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC), has underscored the importance of cooperation between large-scale mining operators and small-scale miners in fostering responsible mining and creating opportunities.
PMDC president and CEO Atty. Job Adrian Ambrosio said that the corporation adopts the “Big Brother-Small Brother” initiative in partnership as a support to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for its programs that promote formalization of small-scale mining, responsible mineral development, improved mine safety, and environmental compliance.
“The MGB has recognized that cooperation between large-scale mining companies and small-scale miners can provide a practical pathway toward formalization. PMDC supports this direction and intends to adopt the Big Brother–Small Brother approach in appropriate PMDC mining areas,” Ambrosio said in a recent press release.
