Wednesday, 21st February 2007 (2772 views)

Authorities in the Philippines are to start a clampdown on illegal gold mining with a new task force being created to target the tunnels being built in gold rush villages to extract gold.

The Philippine National Police plus officials from the government's education, health, social policy and environment departments have all got together to initiate the new force which has been dubbed Task Force Kematu.

It is charged with demolishing the tunnels built by gold miners who lack permits from the government as well as the tunnels which are unsafe.

Lourdes Jumilla, from the Provincial Mining Regulation Board, said: "It will primarily try to resolve the conflict among tunnel operators and the community affected by the joint stoppage order on the mining operations."

This order was caused by poor weather conditions which make mining more dangerous and unstable.

Shanty towns will be destroyed and makeshift bunkhouses removed with people living near the tunnels moved to other areas. The group will also issue relief such as rice to residents.

 

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