Minerva Chaloping‐MarchHonorary Research Fellow

Philippines ‐ Australia Studies Centre La Trobe University

m.chaloping‐march@latrobe.edu.au

Networking for Research onSocio‐Ecological Dimensions of 

Mining in the Philippines

Establishing  partnerships for community‐based ecological restoration of landscapes degraded by mining in the Philippines

Building more awareness and initiatives among concerned sectors:

‐ on mining legacy issues‐ on how they (multiple sectors) can work together towards 

rehabilitation of degraded lands

Project Managers:

Dr. Minerva  Chaloping‐March• Social Dimensions of Mine Closure• Post‐Closure Livelihood for 

Communities• Mining traditions and local 

ecological knowledge

Dr. Augustine Doronila• Restoration Ecologist• Expert in post‐mining land rehabilitation• Specialist in Phytoremediation• Environmental chemistry and plant 

physiology

Project Collaborators:

Woodcutter’s Mine (Newmont)NT, Australia

Kungarrakan and Wara’i people

Ateneo de Manila University Environmental Science Department

European NickelZambales ProvincePhilippines

Acoje Women’s Club

Stawell Gold Mine  Horsham, VIC, Australia

Philex Mining CorporationBenguet Province, Philippines

Philex Women’s Weavers Association Atok Coffee Growers Association

Ranger Mine (Rio Tinto)NT, Australia

Northern Land Council Gundjeimi Aboriginal 

Corporation

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016‐05‐30/rum‐jungle‐uranium‐mine‐in‐nt‐polluting‐environment‐45‐years‐on/7460666

https://minerals.nt.gov.au/rum‐jungle‐minehttps://www.sea‐us.org.au/oldmines/rumjungle.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016‐05‐30/rum‐jungle‐uranium‐mine‐in‐nt‐polluting‐environment‐45‐years‐on/7460666

Mirarr country encompasses the Ranger uranium mine and the sandstone escarpment of Mount Brockman.

Purpose: To assist them to manage a balance between sustainable development, traditional practice and living culture on their land.

Operations

Post-closure and Indigenous Knowledge

Negotiations and  agreements between  Traditional Owners,  government agencies,  mining companies & the  private sector with  development on Traditional  Lands

Lenore Dembski ( Laniyuk )Kungarakan Traditional Owner

Mirar women choosing specific species of grass and other flora for mine rehabilitation

Source ‐ Newmont

Participants:• MGB (Central & regional offices)• EMB, PAWB, ERDB• Other NGAs: CHED, DOST, DILG• Local government units of major mining districts• Mining companies, PMMSEA, COMP, PBSP• Non‐government organizations• Academic/research institutions with programs in 

environmental management (UPLB, DAP, CSC‐UPB)

Dr. Trevor HoganDirector Philippines‐Australia Studies Centre

b. strengthen community‐based initiatives to address land degradation

review and enhancement of the curriculum for BSc ES  (EnvScience Department), AdeMU in collaboration with CHED

linkages with:• local government units• academia• national government agencies• minerals industry 

Funded by: Research Focus Area – Transforming Human Societies(RFA‐THS), La Trobe University

Research sites:

a) Suyoc (Mankayan, Benguet) – traditional gold mining beginning pre‐colonial period

a) Mainit (Bontoc, Mountain Province)– ‘small‐scale’ gold mining began after WWII

a) Balbalasang (Balbalan, Kalinga)– ‘small‐scale’ gold mining began in the 1980s

Three indigenous communities in the Cordillera region, Philippines 

Investigate:

• indigenous customs• community beliefs & 

practices pertinent toresource governance

• formal policy/legislation governing SSM (e.g., RA 7076)

Examine indigenous narratives re values and beliefs as much as actual experiences and empirical knowledge towards understanding what the concept of sustainability consists of and what it requires.

Suyoc, Mankayan, Benguet

Examining key issues in resource “access” and utilization

Examining issues pertinent to:• “legality” of operations• definining terms of relationship with mining company

• locality and identity• “communal” vs private 

resource• notion of “sustainability”

Main cover page of  IEE submitted to MGB‐CAR on Jan  3, 2012. 

The IEE is a requirement for applying for a SSM permit

Commual site where members of PalidanIgorrote Mine can work. 

Page 64 of  IEE

Page 64 of  IEE, 3 Jan 2012

Copper and gold mining Barangay Mainit, Bontoc MunicipalityMountain Province•

Indigeneity and locality configure the villagers’ understanding of sustainability and the required actions to pursue it.

Assertion of local control hinges on their idea of fairness, a core element of ‘social justice’.

A deep-seated solidarity exists among the villagers in their resolve to shield their resources from state-sponsored projects or private business interests.

However, some contradictions are emerging about the values that villagers themselves espouse pertinent to utilizing a communal resource.

Gold mining in Gaang, Balbalan, Kalinga

Maligcong Village, Bontoc, Mountain Province

Maligcong Village, Bontoc, Mountain Province. 17 Jan 2016