BAGUMBAYAN, Sultan Kudarat — A multi-agency enforcement team led by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office XII dismantled an illegal mining operation in Sitio Macau, Barangay Bai Saripinang on February 19, 2026, resulting in the arrest of four individuals—including a Chinese national—and the seizure of an estimated ₱11.7 million worth of heavy equipment and mineral products.
Authorities said the operation dealt a significant blow to environmental crimes in the area after investigators confirmed that the suspects were operating without valid permits. None of the individuals apprehended possess small-scale mining licenses, nor are they affiliated with the only authorized mining contract holder in the locality, ABN Nature Copper Ore Mining.
Heavy Equipment, Mineralized Rocks Confiscated
During the raid, law enforcers confiscated several pieces of heavy machinery believed to have been used in the illegal extraction and processing of mineral resources. Among the equipment seized were a hydraulic excavator, skid steer loader, dump truck, rear bed loader, and a portable air compressor, along with various mining tools.
Authorities emphasized that the use of such industrial equipment violates provisions of Republic Act No. 7076, also known as the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991. The law mandates that small-scale mining activities must primarily rely on manual labor rather than heavy machinery to limit environmental damage and ensure safer operations.
Aside from the equipment, the enforcement team recovered 305 sacks of crushed mineralized rocks weighing approximately 15,250 kilograms. Initial assessments indicated that the materials likely contain quartz with traces of pyrite, suggesting a high probability of gold and copper deposits.
Explosive Materials Found at Site
Authorities also discovered 24.5 kilograms of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO), a blasting agent commonly used in large-scale mining and quarrying operations. Officials warned that the possession and use of such explosives in small-scale mining are strictly prohibited due to the serious safety risks they pose to workers, nearby communities, and the environment.
The discovery further strengthened the case against the suspects, officials said, as it demonstrated the scale and hazardous nature of the illegal activities being conducted at the site.
Charges Filed; Immigration Asked to Hold Foreign National
Following the operation, MGB Regional Office XII filed formal criminal charges against the suspects for violations of Republic Act No. 7076. Authorities also sought the assistance of the Bureau of Immigration to place the foreign national involved under legal custody while legal proceedings are underway.
Operation Based on Earlier Cease-and-Desist Order
The enforcement action was carried out in compliance with a Cease-and-Desist Order issued on February 5, 2026 by the MGB Regional Office XII and the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, following reports of unauthorized mining activities in the area.
The successful operation was made possible through the coordinated efforts of multiple government agencies, including the MGB XII, the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Bagumbayan Municipal Police Station, the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Explosive Canine Unit, the Philippine National Police Second Police Mobile Force Company, and the Philippine Army.
Officials reiterated their commitment to intensifying the campaign against illegal mining, warning that unauthorized extraction not only violates national laws but also threatens ecosystems, local livelihoods, and the long-term sustainability of mineral resources in the region.