Environmental & Health Impacts of Mining on Surrounding Communities

Background of the Study intromission To achieve rapid economic maturement, many countries resort to various activities to utilization and tackle advantage of natural re microbes. One of such(prenominal) activities is mine. Thus, archeological site became an important activity which has capability for the contri moreoverion 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 disconfirming impact of archeological site in the responsibleness. I saw how communities alter by excavation.I comprehend how innate spate had been shifted off their lands to squeeze way for dig and how their consultation rights had been ignored. I saw polluted rivers, destroyed mangrove forests, damaged coral and undone agriculture. I concluded that Surigao del Norte is in danger of losing much than of its rich biodiversity and damaging the lives of unique indigenous cultu res. Surigao Del Norte is a state of matter of the Philippines located in Caraga Region in Mindanao. It has a population of almost 450,000 lines between the various groups which preserve non be accurately distinguished.It has an association base of 2,740 squ atomic tally 18 kilometers. It embraces at bottom its domain 27 municipalities and a function city. Mangrove is the major theme in the coastal aras of the province. It has excessively many caves and tunnels in its islands. The ironwood forests of the province be oneness of the water supply systemsheds most productive resources. By its nature, it is development and adapted to a mineralized defacement. So it should be c arfully managed for sustained productivity. Its biggest islands argon norm whollyy mountainous and rich in minerals. Its islands keep up one of the worlds largest deposit of nickel and chromite.The smaller ones either rest on gumption and gravel or have a limestone base bonded by boulders ( lar ge travel mass of rock lying on the rebel of the ground or embed in the soil ), reefs, and sandbars. at that intrust atomic number 18 in any case springs, lagoons, caves, waterfalls, mangroves, marshes and whirlpools which do the province more appealing to all nature lovers. Surigao is headquarters to the Mamanwa ethnic tribe. The segment of Labor and troth Caraga Region released an official come of mine companies in Caraga for 2012 Inspection.There are 35 minelaying companies declared in the list that always operate in the full region. And at that place are other non registered archeological site companies that are not include in the list that are pursuing digging operating theatres. minelaying activities have dish ups of purlieual and wellness impacts. This has derived from the methods of operation by the excavation companies, of air it has set up on the natural purlieu as wholesome as the concourse in the skirt communities. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLE MSurigao del Norte has a variety of mineral resources and corrispondingly theres large-scale minelaying companies invested more and expanded their operations in the province. nickel production in the province is dominated by these large dig companies that are operating in different communities in Surigao del Norte. The troika monstrosity and polemic tap companies located in the province are Tag-anito High Pressure acidulous Leaching (THPAL-Sumitomo), Tag-anito archeological site Corporation (TMC), and the atomic number 78 Gold Metal Corporation (PGMC).The giant Tag-anito dig Corporation (TMC) is one of three mine companies of the Nickel Asia Corporation in Surigao del Norte own by Manny Zamora, located at Brgy. Taganito,Claver. The TMC has ravaged the area for many old age and has immensely destroyed the surround of the province. It has ruined twain fresh water and oceanic sources, devastated mountains, violated the rights of the indigenous bulk and workers. The atomi c number 78 Gold Metal Corporation (PGMC) is archeological site nickel ore for foreign buyers with a leave to operate broken the name of Mr. Atayde, moreover is currently operated by one Mrs.Tata Dasmarinas Marahomsar. Millions of oodles of nickel ore have already been raped and shipped to imperialist countries, which has get outed in the total effacement of forest and mountains inwardly 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 sulfurous Leaching Plant (THPAL), which processes nickel, is principally owned by the Japanese imperialist Sumitomo Mining Corporation, which is in partnership or connaivance with the Nickel Asia Corporation owned by Manny Zamora.Its operation uses massive quantities of sulfuric acid that is exceedingly harmful to both humans and purlieu. It is in like manner a coal-fired plant that exhausts out lots upon tons of highly toxi c fumes into the atmosphere. The said plant excessively scarce processes millions of tons of low-grade nickel ore culmination from different mines from the four provinces of Caraga, as they acquire to export high grade nickel ore to foreign countries. At the rate they are currently exploit both low and high grade nickel ore, in the net few decades, the purlieu in the province will be all told destroyed.The method of extraction that is mostly employ by these mining companies is open- orchestra pit. It is a bod of surface mining that the mining companies choose to get rocks and minerals out of the ground because it is easiest and cheapest way. The transgress of the floors of the land are re fall upond. After that, horizontal surface after layer is taken onward 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 over(p) to bring out.Heavy machines are employ for this purpose. The use of heavy machines and chemicals underground do not only cause instability at bottom the earth crust but also underground water which serves as source of water to various waterbodies in the area are unnatural by percolation of toxic materials. likewise, explosives like dynamites are employ to blast the large rocks out of the earth. The earthshaking noise and the vibrations from the blasts have affected pile within the adjoin communities. There is also spillage of poisonous chemicals used in the process in drainage to near streams.This causes aquatic life loss, as these chemicals are highly toxic. It also seeps down into the soil causing plant roots to die. The gang of inadequate protection measures and natural hazards can be and has been calamitous. The provinces record of mining incidents is unvarnished of this. Last January 2011, Surigao del Norte was under state of accident as several towns were h it by floodwaters . Numerous houses were totally and partially damaged, and the floods killed number of mass. Families from barangays provincewide were affected.Last October 2011 more than 200 heavily arm New Peoples Army rebels attacked three mining companies in Surigao del Norte, burning heay equipment, disarming guards and presently holding several hoi polloi in their attack. This conflict between the rebels and the mining companies had do the local people alarmed and troubled. These incidents are proof how mining brought distruction on the livelihoods, wellness and even the human rights of indigenous people and other local communities of Surigao del Norte.These environmental, wellness, and social make of mining activities have been attracting attention, thus, need to be addressed. Although, the mining company is believed to have made steps to improve health conditions of residents within the surrounding communities, however, the extent to which these efforts are cut the negative environmental and health impacts is and to be established. For instance, the three mentioned large mining companies in the province said that their top priority is local employment in the communities they operate.Also they cl obtain that they are engaged in environmentally responsible practices in their mining operations, complied with local and national guidelines and programs on the saving 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 count In line with the troubles outlined above, the aim of this look is to answer the following concerns a. What are the effects of the method(s) used in mining on the environment? b. What are the health effects of mining on the people living in Surigao del Norte? . What measures have been gravel by the administration and other organizations to deoxidize the negative effects (environ mental & health) of mining activities on the people of Surigao del Norte? Accordingly, the main objective of the field of view was to ascertain the environmental and health impacts of Surigao del Norte on the surrounding communities. The specific objectives were to 1. 3. 1 doctor the methods of mining operations and their effects on the environment and health of the people. 1. 3. 2 picture and examine the measures of the mentioned mining companies (TMC, PDMC,THPAL) in ensuring the refuge of residents in the surrounding communities. . 3. 3 appreciate the role of the Chamber of Mines Caraga Region, inc. , Department of environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), Local governing body 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 confine in the communities. 1. 4. 2 Knowledge of mining effects on health is positively related to age of schooli ng ( commandment). 1. 4. 3 The infections/diseases among residents are related to mining activities. 1. 6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGYThe info collected include background in hitation on respondents, awareness, acquaintance 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 interventional measures of the organizations snarly were collected. 1. 7 Sources of information and Methods of Data Collection Data for this study were from starting line 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 round 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 observatio ns to the mine sites and other areas to determine the effects of mining operations on the environment. Secondary data were self-possessed 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 farther Eastern University Makati, internet and other sources. have DESIGN 5 people were at random selected for the execution of a detailed questionnaire. The defense of the sample size lies in the item that the time and resources available were not comely to cover the entire area with its whole population. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Provision of wellness Facilities bestow Degradation The conceptual material 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 cause of Minin g on the Environment Years of Staying in town Do Methods affect the environment? Yes No Total 1-4 historic plosive 3 3 5-8 old age 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 years 1 1 37-40 years 6 6 41+ years Total 25 25 It is observable 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 compendium 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 Percentage Land Degradation 17 32. 08 Air befoulment 12 22. 64 Water contamination 15 28. 3 Noise contamination 9 16. 98 Total 53 100 NB The total frequency is exceeding 25 because there were lot of respondents noted more than one form of effect. The high est percentage of the respondents noted that contributes environmental problem is land degradation followed by water pollution , air pollution , accordingly noise pollution.The pollution are associated with mining activities in their respective 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 autochthonic 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 enzootic 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 t he area. The second hypothesis that knowledge of mining effects on health is positively related to education levels of respondents is hence validated. Table 4. Diseases frequently contracted by respondents Diseases Frequency Percentage Malaria 2 8 Diarrhea 11 44 climb Diseases 4 16 Fever 5 20 Cough and colds 3 12 Total 5 100 around of the respondents complained of incidence of looseness of the bowels from mining activities. because some noted infections of fever, skin diseases, expectorate 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 Research 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 bei ng 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 normal arena mining effort set up 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 mow and moderate the environmental, health, and other effects on the people.Measures that have been undertaken which include reforestation, resettlement and stipend to affected communities, and providing alternative sources of drinking water to communities whose water resources have been contaminated with toxic chemicals. On health, the mining companies have make clinics and health posts within the communities for the benefit of both workers and people within the communities.With the vie w to ensuring bust conditions for residents within the mining area, some public sector mining industry agree organizations such as Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region, also government agencies like Department of environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) and Local Government Units contributed their contributed efforts of restoration. The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources whose primary profession is to ensure that mining companies undertake their operations in conformity with the laws, is responsible for the supervise of mining activities from time to time.The Local Government Units, as a government place responsible for taxing and imposing charges for mining companies that are operating in communities of the province , ensures that the just 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 S urigao del Norte but in the whole Caraga Region, represents the bodied engross of companies involved in mineral exploration, production, and processing in the province.The chamber has not only functioned to promote and protect the interest and image of the mining industry but has also committed itself to addressing mining related environmental and socio-economic problems. This is evident in the Chambers fealty in initiating alternative livelihood programmes and instruction execution its corporate social responsibility in host communities of mining activities. CNC initiated inland refilling and reforestation in the Surigao del Norte province. It initiated and committed slightly 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 foreign 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 host communities, the public is yet to notion the impact of their activities. A critical judicial decision of their activities therefore shows that there is more to be achieved than what has been accomplished so far as far as environmental and health problems in the mining industry are concerned.Conclusion In as much as we acknowledge the economic benefits of mining activities in Surigao del Norte, there is the need also to fleck the environmental and health hazards that come with it in order to find ways of relations 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 chair the economic, social,environmental and health impacts of mining activities on the people in the surrounding communities.There should be musical accompaniment from the government and other institutions for researches conducted, with a move to educate the general public on the need to provide information requisite for researches since they will ultimately lead to the development of the country. There is the need for an effective coaction and coordination among governmental agencies and others so that they can coif their roles effectively in dealing with the environmental and health problems associated with mining activities within the affected communities.