TAGANA-AN, Surigao del Norte — A 53-year-old man was arrested by authorities for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, during a law enforcement operation conducted on Wednesday afternoon, May 6, in Sitio Dijo, Barangay Ban-ban, Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte.
The suspect was identified only by his alias “Edgardo,” a married resident of Purok 5, Barangay Aurora, Tagana-an.
According to the report, authorities caught the suspect allegedly operating a mining site without the necessary permits and complete legal documents, prompting his immediate arrest.
Confiscated during the operation were various mining paraphernalia and equipment believed to have been used in the illegal mining activities. Among the items seized were two compressors, a gas tank with torch, mineral ores, wooden panning equipment, several basins, bottles containing mercury, a clay pot with borax, and other improvised mining tools.
Authorities said the operation forms part of the government’s intensified campaign against illegal small-scale mining activities, which pose serious environmental and health risks due to the use of hazardous substances such as mercury.
Illegal mining operations have long been a concern in several parts of Surigao del Norte, with authorities warning that unregulated extraction activities can lead to environmental degradation, soil erosion, river contamination, and threats to community safety.
Following the operation, the arrested suspect and all confiscated evidence were brought to the custody of the Surigao del Norte Police Intelligence Unit (SDN PIU) for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges.