SAGADA, Mountain Province – The completed Mercury-Free Processing System (MFPS) is now under the ownership and management of the Northern Sagada Barangay Small-Scale Miners Association, Incorporated (NSBSSMAI).
The MFPS facility, which is situated within the declared Minahang Bayan in Barangay Fidelisan, Sagada, was established through the planetGOLD Philippines Project and was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
This initiative was undertaken in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), with its execution led by the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC).
It is a part of the planetGOLD Philippines’ initiative to provide responsible alternatives to traditional mining practices. It utilizes a purely gravity concentration method, which includes crushing, grinding, and gravity concentration circuits designed for efficient gold recovery. The facility processes up to four metric tons of ore daily with a projected recovery rate of at least 60%.
Comprising the MFPS facility are the main processing facility where the jaw crushers, rod mills, shaking tables and other equipment and machineries are installed, an office, storage room, solid waste mineral recovery facility, and tailings ponds.
The turnover ceremony for the ownership of the MFPS facility to the NSBSSMAI and the unveiling of the MFPS marker were held at the St. Matthew Parish in barangay Bangaan while the ribbon-cutting and blessing of the facility were held in barangay Fidelisan. These ceremonial rites brought together key stakeholders from the AGC Philippines, UNIDO, MGB-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), EMB-CAR, Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), DENR, Provincial Local Government Unit (LGU) of Mountain Province (MP), Municipal LGU of Sagada, Barangay LGU of Fidelisan, MP State University, the NSBSSMAI and its fellow declared Minahang Bayan in Paracale, Camarines Norte, among others.
In their respective messages, Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr., represented by MP Environment and Natural Resources Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Raul I. Edan, and AGC Philippines National Project Manager Abigail Ocate were one in pointing out the completion and turnover of the MFPS facility is a testament of years of dedication, collaboration, perseverance, and the unwavering commitment of the NSBSSMAI in upholding an environmentally friendly mining method.
In addition, UNIDO Philippines Country Representative, Engr. Teddy Monroy and MGB OIC Assistant Director, Engr. Teodorico A. Sandoval underscored that the MFPS facility is a symbol of progress for a safer, cleaner and mercury-free mining future and commitment to strengthen the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) community, as well as a powerful reminder of the things that can be achieved through collective action.
In gratitude, Joseph Patil-ao and Joan Tom-eg, the president and a member of the NSBSSMAI, respectively, stayed united in expressing their gratitude to the stakeholders who were instrumental to the completion of the MFPS facility.
Meanwhile, other highlights during the event were the signing of the transfer of ownership and the commitment wall, unveiling of the MFPS building marker, awarding of the shovel plaque to the NSBSSMAI, and the recital of the pledge of commitment, which was led by Atty. Dante Cambri from the BSP Gold Buying Station – Baguio. By Hail, MP
