Business · Philippines Bureau
Three held for illegal mining operations in Oriental Mindoro
Police arrested three individuals during a crackdown on unauthorized mineral exploration in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. Authorities seized equipment and geological samples from the operation, which was conducted without required government permits.
LSN Philippines ·
CALAPAN City — Three suspects were taken into custody following an anti-illegal mining operation in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro on Monday afternoon, police said. The individuals were apprehended while allegedly conducting mineral exploration activities without the necessary permits from local and national authorities.
Officers confiscated several items from the operation site, including a chipping gun, electric blower, 50-meter extension wire, pulley assembly, and a sack containing soil and rock samples. The equipment seizure suggests ongoing prospecting work at the location.
The arrested individuals now face charges related to violations of mining and environmental protection regulations. Police said the operation appeared to be a small-scale extraction effort, though investigations into the full scope of activities and any potential links to larger illegal mining networks are continuing.
The arrest underscores ongoing enforcement efforts by local authorities to curtail unauthorized mining activities in Oriental Mindoro, a province known for its mineral deposits. Illegal mining operations pose environmental and safety risks to communities and remain a persistent concern for provincial officials.