8 Chinese nabbed for alleged illegal mining operation in Surigao del Norte

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Eighteen individuals, including eight Chinese nationals, were arrested during a joint operation for allegedly being involved in a illegal mining operation in Surigao del Norte.

In a news release on Saturday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that authorities were also able to seize heavy equipment and mining paraphernalia valued at P153.34 million.

“The seized items included two improvised air guns, assorted documents belonging to Chinese nationals, eight dump trucks, five payloaders, 16 truck excavators, eight generator sets, eight pieces of sluice mat, one roll of sluice mat, and four improved sluice machines,” the DENR said.

The agency said that 80 kilograms of mining ore samples were also recovered, along with a Toyota Hilux pickup truck, two compressors, a drum of hydraulic oil, 15 panel boards, seven batteries, two pails of grease oil, and two drums of diesel fuel.

“Other items seized included an Armscor shotgun bearing serial number 2522885 and 12 rounds of live shotgun ammunition,” the DENR added.

The heavy equipment, conveyances, and other mining paraphernalia will be subjected to administrative confiscation proceedings by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region XIII.

Meanwhile, inquest proceedings are underway at the Surigao City Prosecutor's Office for the 18 suspects. They are charged with violating Sections 102 and 103 of Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, for illegal exploration and theft of minerals.

The joint operation was carried out by the DENR and the Philippine National Police, with support from other law enforcement personnel, including the Philippine Air Force.

The DENR stated that the raid forms part of its initiative to curb illegal placer gold mining across Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Sur. —VAL, GMA News