ABSTRACT

The study is about the conditions of the small-scale miners in Barangay Bukal,

Nabunturan Compostela Valley Province.

Looking at the situation of the small-scale miners nowadays, the miners are really pitiful

to look at because of the big issues that the sector had encountered through the generations.

These self devastating issues give very big impacts to the miners. The public had been blinded

by these issues especially to the miners’ health which is the bait of the gold hunting. In their

economic status’ condition, it is noticeable that many of the miners are having a poor life. If the

attention is driven the miners’ safety, this is one of the biggest controversies in the great world

of mining that until now it have been a long talk in the government. In the the relationship of

miners’ family between them, it is hard to deny the fact that family relations are also affected by

mining because everybody knows that miners would seek and dig anywhere in the world just to

bring money to the family in spite of the reality of moving away from home for the sake of work.

The study is centered on the condition of the miners to serve as an example. It will be

discussed in the paper the condition of small scale mining in the aspects of their health,

economic status, administration, safety, and family relations. The paper will also mention some

things that the miners need from the government.

1

CHAPTER I

Background of the Study

Small-scale mining refers to mining by individuals, groups, families or cooperatives with

minimal or no mechanization, often the informal (illegal) sector of the market (T. Hentschel et.

Al). From the definition above, small-scale miners is indeed a complex and a dangerous work.

Complex in the sense that due to its informality, (illegal background) small-scale mining must be

prohibited by the government and yet small-scale mining is widely operated locally, nationally

and internationally.

Take for an instance is the wide operation of small-scale mining in Geita and Misungwi

Town Tanzania, where in numerous residents are trying themselves to be miners due to

poverty. (R. Mwaipopo et al. The increase of contribution of Small-scale mining to the reduction

of poverty in Tanzania, Geita and Misungwi, 2004).

Despite of the different issues that the government and other non-governmental

organizations are trying to reveal to the people about the small-scale mining, still many are

trying to engage themselves to the work regardless of the dirty and muddy perception about it.

Nowadays, men are not only the small-scale miners but also women as well as the children are

also trying themselves as small-scale miners.

According to Gavin Hilson, (2002) small-scale mining has a positive and negative socio-

economic impacts to the developing countries. Not mentioning the environmental and health-

related problem that affects human quality of life. Small-scale mining plays a great role in

alleviating poverty and contribute significantly to national revenues and foreign exchange

earnings. However, due to the small-scale miners are mostly low-tech and employ poorly

trained uneducated people, it is difficult for the sector to improve on its own. Thus, governments

and regional international bodies have to play an expanded role in bridging critical information

techno-logic and economic gaps (Small-scale mining and the socio-economic effects to the

Developing Countries, Dec 17,2002)

This shows that small-scale mining as well as the small-scale miners has a great future

as one of the main contributors of money in the state if been studied to have measures of

improvement in sustainability, proper mechanization, and in stronger human resources.

2

On the other hand, small-scale mining is an undoubtedly dangerous work to be involved

with. It is dangerous in many aspects of man’s life and in state’s stability. The process of mining

particularly gold mining consists stages in which a miner will have to have a contact to different

poisonous chemicals that will harm the miner’s body. One of the most dangerous chemical is

known is the mercury (Hg) which is used to extract gold from a powdered ore (G Drasch. et. A,

2001l).Too much exposure to mercury lead not just to a simple skin diseases but also tissue

damages and even destruction of the bones.

Take for an example, the region of Diwalwal, located in Mt. Diwata also known as the

“Gold Capital of Compostela Valley Province” almost 15,000 residents living there. Almost of

them are small-scale miners and show presence of mercury in their blood, urine and hair

through neuro-pshychological testing. In this mere situation, the harmful effect of small-scale

mining can already be observed. This affects the quality of human-life not just the life itself but

also the quality of the human resource. Small-scale mining has a destructive impact on the

stability not only small-scale mining but also large-scale mining. When there is the exploitation

of the mineral deposits, economic problems occurs. Due to this, the economy tends to drop

because as all economists know, mineral shares a large amount in the pie of economy system.

As all people know, miners are the ones who work to extract minerals from the earth.

Mining is considered to be one of the most hazardous trades in the world. Thus, miners are the

most affected of the hazardous environment of mining most specially those who are not very

well assisted by the government. Due to lack of proper assistance, miners’ lives are at risk. But

because of the desires to feed the family, miners work in spite of the danger that they are

facing. The condition of miners has long been a concern but most studies are centered to the

mining only making the people being blinded by the reality of small-scale miner’s condition.

All of these things that tackles about the small-scale mining are first influenced the small-

scale miners. Before people enjoy the products of small-scale mining they all went through the

hands of miners. It is essential to check the miner’s condition specifically the small-scale miners

in all the aspects of their life because the management of the small-scale mining will depend on

the people behind it.

The authors concern in the small-scale miners centered in a Barangay Bukal, in the

municipality of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province where in small-scale mining industry is

fast arising. The great changes in the environment, population is observable. Surveying

numerous miners in barangay will show their condition in the present time.

3

The paper will serve as the result of the miner’s answers to the said topic, “The

Condition of the Small-scale Miners in the Barangay Bukal, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley

Province”.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. What is the condition of small-scale miners in Barangay Bukal, Nabunturan

Compostela Valley Province in the following aspects:

A. Health

B. Economic Status

C. Administration

D. Safety

E. Family Relations

2. What are the improvements that the small-scale miners in Barangay Bukal,

Nabunturan Compostela Valley Province need?

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study is to determine the condition of the small-scale mining in

Barangay Bukal, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province in the following aspects:

To identify the condition of their health.

To determine their economic status in the present life due to their work.

To know the condition of the administration of their work.

To identify the condition of their safety during their work.

To identify the condition of their family relationship due to their work.

And to determine the wants and needs of the miners from the government.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The paper will discuss the personal condition of the small-scale miners in the Barangay

Bukal, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province in their present health condition due to their

work. It will also discuss the condition of the miners’ economic status as a functional unit of the

country where they belong due to their work. The paper will also discuss the administrative

aspect of their work. The paper will also tackle about the safety conditions of the miners in the

mining site. The relationship between the miners and their respective families will also be

4

discussed in the paper. The paper will also cite the needs and wants of the miners from the

government for their betterment.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Students. The study will help the students to explore informations about the condition of

the small-scale miners. The study will also serve as a guide for the students to realize some

realities in life.

Teachers. The paper will help the teachers as a reference in teaching their students with

the topic related to the study.

Local Government. The study will help the local unit in making and implementing laws

and policies about the small-scale miners. The paper may serve as their basis.

Miners. The paper will help the miners to realize their real conditions.

Private Organization about Small-scale Mining. This study will serve as their basis in

promoting their advocacies in strengthening the miners’ betterments.

5

Chapter II

RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES

Related Literatures and Studies

Catholic Relief Services and the Commission on Natural Resources of the DRC Bishops’

Conference (Needs Assessment, Jan 10 2011) said that mining is usually carried out by man

and children is found in the mining site working as well. This study is related to the topic

because mostly of the chosen respondents are males.

The health conditions of the respondents are to be analyzed, as Noel Parato Colina

stated that all miners experience occupational health problems like repetitive stress injury (RSI),

poor ventilation, and body malfunction. (Mining in the Philippines and the effects on

occupational health and safety of mine workers. November 21-23, 2006.Renmin University,

Beijing, PROC).

As said by Asirot J. P and Israel D. C, (Mercury Pollution Due to Small-Scale Gold

Mining in the Philippines: An Economic Analysis, undated) that the small-scale miner’s income

are good yet low. However, miners could afford in living in their chosen area and can still live

comfortably. This shows that the mining helped a lot in lifting the lives of poor miners.

As what said Cathal Doyle, Clive Wicks and Frank Nally (Mining in the Philippines

Concerns and conflicts Report of a Fact-Finding Trip to the Philippines. 2007) that the financiers

must put funds on the mining in the Philippines. The financiers should provide the miners their

needs in order to have a better time of work but in the form of limited generosity so that the

business is still standing.

As stated by T. Hentschel, F. Hruschka, and M. Priester (Artisanal and Small-Scale

Mining Challenges and Opportunities, 2003) that small-scale mining lacks capital for the

financing. It has a big financial problem and difficulties in the roll of funds. The trio’s study

showed a problem in the environment of small-scale mining.

DAO No. 97-30 (Chapter IV sec.1 Rule 17 & 35 Sept. 11, 1997) stated that all miners

must wear protective wardrobes like skull guards, rubber boots and must bring lighting device

such as spotlights as they enter tunnels. The same with the statement of the Coal Mine Health

Inspection Procedures Handbook 9 (unknown author, Jan 1 2003) that all persons engaged in

handling hazardous chemicals must wear protective materials such as face masks, hand

6

gloves. These statements set some safety measurements for the miners in order to avoid

unwanted accidents.

Daniel Hamilton (Handling the mining lifestyle and your relationships, February 26, 2010)

said that working in distant from home could create a loss of communication, could build walls

between each member of the family and could give probabilities of having family problems

related to the work of the miner. This is relevant to the study because one of the aspect that

would be discussed is condition of the family relationship of the miners.

The need of the safety insurances of the miners should be tackled due to the different

occupational health and safety problems arising in the small-scale mining. Mongolian Nature

and Environment Consortium (Improving the life of informal Gold miners in Zaamar Gold field,

2011) that the miners need social insurances because of the risky work of the miners and its

accident prone environment of the work. In line with this, Thomas Hentschel, Felix Hruschka,

and Michael Priester (Maroon perceptions of small-scale gold mining impacts, II A survey in

mining camps and affected communities in Suriname and French Guiana, March 31, 2004)

stated that almost of the miners do not possess safety insurances.

7

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Research Design

The research was a survey scheme method. It was used to determine the conditions of

the small-scale miners in the Brgy. Bukal, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province to the

different aspects of their lives as workers. These aspects include their health, economic status,

administration of their work, safety and the family relationship between the miners to their

respective families. The research also identified the five things that the small-scale miners

wanted from the government.

Research Instruments

The researchers gathered informations from the respondents through a questionnaire.

The questionnaire was a three-paged paper which contained statement that will be responded

by the respondents by putting a check mark to the boxes containing Always marked as 5,

Frequently as 4, Seldom rated as 3, Sometimes numbered as 2 and Never as 1. It also

contained a second part which was to be ranked by the respondents from 1 as the highest level

and down to 5 as the lowest one.

Research Participants

The researchers chose the small-scale miners in Brgy. Bukal, Nabunturan, Compostela

Valley Province as their respondents because they possess all the knowledge and capabilities

in answering the questionnaire and to satisfy the research which mainly concerned on the small-

scale miner’s conditions.

Research Gathering Procedure

The researchers firstly gave a letter of approval respectively signed by the English II

instructor and the Department of Forestry Chairman to the Dean of College of Agriculture and

Related Sciences (CARS). After having the letter of approval with the sign of the CARS Dean,

another letter of permission was made intended for the surveyed area and to the respondents.

On the day of the survey, the researchers gave the letter of permission to the captain of

Brgy. Bukal. After having the signed permission, the researchers were free to conduct their

8

survey to the cited respondents by giving questionnaires and having their answers as the

informations gathered by the researchers from them.

Statistical Tool

The researchers used Likert Scale,

(Corresponding Answer) x (Value of Answer) = N,

N------------------- = Mean (x)

N t

and Frequency and Percentage,

CFRF (%) = ---------------- x100

Σ xi of CF

9

CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF DATAS

Discussion and Interpretation of Results

Chapter IV is all about the analysis and interpretations of the results from the responses

of the participants of the survey.

Table 1 is about the age range of the respondents on the cited survey area. The table

showed 9 respondents out of 25 were at the ages of 16-21. Table 2 is the interpretation of the

health condition of the respondents which showed a good health condition of the respondents at

a range of means, 1.48-3.12. Table 3 is the analysis of the economic status of the respondents

showing that the respondents were at a good economic status in life due to their works with a

range of 2.52 to 3.48. Table 4 is the interpretations of the condition of administration in the work

of the respondents. The table showed a range of 2.76 to 4.44 saying that the respondents were

all experiencing an excellent administration from the financiers and their team leaders. Table 5

is about the safety conditions of the respondents which said that the respondents had a low risk

from danger showing that they follow some safety measures with a range of mean, 3.12 to 4.48.

Table 6 showed the conditions of the relationship between the respondents and their families.

The table showed that the respondents were quite far away from their family due to their works.

The table had a mean range of 2.12 to 3.48. The last table was the analysis of the different

governmental actions that the respondents wanted from the government to be implemented to

them. The table showed results that the respondents highly need a complete safety insurances

among the other statement cited.

10

Table1.The Range of Age of the Small-scale Miners in Brgy. Bukal,

Nabunturan Compostela Valley Province

Range of Age Frequency Percentage

16-21 years old 9 36%

22-26 years old 6 24%

27-32 years old 7 28%

33-38 years old 0 0

39 years old and above 3 12%

Total 25 100%

The respondents were all males and were ranged into ages 16-21 years old, 22-

26 years old, 27-32 years old, 33-38 years old and 39 years old and above. As shown in Table

1, nine (36%) of the respondents belonged to the group of ages 16-32 years old; 7 (28%) of the

respondents were in 27-32 years of living; while 6 (24%) of the respondents were all at the

brackets of 26-32 years old; none of the respondents were at the 33-38; and 3 (12%) of the

respondents were at the 39 years old and above.

The table coincided in the statement Catholic Relief Services and the Commission on

Natural Resources of the DRC Bishops’ Conference that mining is worked mostly by men and

there is the presence of youth as workers in the mining sites.

The table did not coincide to the statement of Colina that the all miners experience

occupational health problems like repetitive stress injury (RSI), poor ventilation, and body

malfunction.

Table2. The Health Condition of Small-scale Miners in Brgy. Bukal,

Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.

STATEMENTS MEAN DESCRIPTION

1. I experienced back pains. 3.12 SOMETIMES

2. I experienced fever.1.92

OFTEN

3. I experienced headaches. 2.28 OFTEN

4. I experienced breathing

difficulties.1.48 NEVER

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5. I experienced joint pains. 2.4 OFTEN

6. I have experienced food

poisoning.1.48 NEVER

7. I experienced diarrhea. 1.84 OFTEN

8. I have experienced other

lung diseases like

Pneumonia.

1.68 OFTEN

9. I experienced skin diseases.

1.64 NEVER

1.0-1.7 – NEVER EXPERIENCED1.8-2.5 – OFTEN EXPERIENCED2.6-3.4 – SOMETIMES EXPERIENCED3.5-4.2 – FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCED4.3-5.0 – ALWAYS EXPERIENCING

In the table 2, the respondents responded to the statements related to their health

conditions from means 1.48-3.12. The table shows that most of the respondents had a good

health condition. Statement 4 and 6 gathered 1.48 mean showing that most of the respondents

never experience breathing difficulties and food poisoning. On the other hand, statement 1 had

the mean gathered, 3.12 which means that the respondents sometimes experience back pains.

Statements 2, 3, 5 and 7 belonged to the same description which is Often Experiencing.

However, statement 5 had the highest mean, 2.4. Next is the statement 3 which had a mean of

2.28, followed by the statement 7 that had 1.84 of mean. Statement 8 and 9 both had belonged

to the description of Never Experience. Statement 8 accounted 1.68 of mean and statement 9

had 1.64 of mean.

Table 3. The Economic Status of Small-scale Miners in Brgy. Bukal,

Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.

STATEMENTS MEAN DESCRIPTION

1. My income is sufficient to provide food

for my family.3.48 GOOD

2. My income is sufficient for my

children’s education and to other (if

there is any) from kindergarten to

2.52 LOW

12

college.

3. My income is sufficient to invest in a

bigger business.2.68 GOOD

4. My income is sufficient to build a large

and concrete house.2.32 LOW

5. My income is sufficient to buy

everything I want.3.44 GOOD

6. My income is sufficient to afford

anything which is out of my budget.3.4 GOOD

1.0-1.7 – VERY POOR ECONOMIC STATUS1.8-2.5 – POOR ECONOMIC STATUS2.6-3.4 – GOOD ECONOMIC STATUS3.5-4.2 – VERY GOOD ECONOMIC STATUS4.3-5.0 – EXCELLENT ECONOMIC STATUS

The economic status of the respondents had been tabulated in table 3. The means ran

from 2.52-3.48 showing that the economic status of the respondents is on the Good Economic

Status.

Statement 1 has a mean of 3.48 and belongs to the Moderate Economic Status; while

statement 2 has 2.52 of mean that has a description of Low Economic Status; statement 3

gathered a mean of 2.68 and belongs to the Moderate Economic Status; while statement 4

accounted 2.32 mean that belonged to Low Economic Status. Statements 5 and 6 were both

belonged to Moderate Economic Status, statement 5 got a mean of 3.44 and statement 6 had

3.4.

The table supports the statement of Asirot and Israel that the income of small-scale

miners is positive but low. Although their incomes are low, still they can afford to live in their

area and can sufficiently afford their living.

Table 4. The Condition of the Administration of the work of the Small-scale Miners in

Brgy. Bukal, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.

13

STATEMENTS MEAN DESCRIPTION

1. We are provided with free

medicines and vitamins by our

financier.

4.4 VERY POOR

2. Our financier provides us

weekly food.4.4 EXCELLENT

3. Our financier provides us free

mining tools.4.44 EXCELLENT

4. Our team leader distributes the

things that our financier

provided to us.

4.4 EXCELLENT

5. Our team leader considers

absences as a deduction to our

income.

2.76 MODERATE

6. We use 60-40 system when

dividing incomes.4 EXCELLENT

1.0-1.7 – VERY POOR ADMINISTRATION

1.8-2.5 – POOR ADMINISTRATION

2.6-3.4 – GOOD ADMINISTRATION

3.5-4.2 – VERY GOOD ADMINISTRATION

4.3-5.0 – EXCELLENT ADMINISTRATION

All of the respondents were all working with their respective groups and were all

designated to different work in the mining site. Table 4 showed the condition of the

administration of their work. The means ran from 2.76-4.44 which showed that the respondents

were all experiencing an excellent administration to their work. Statement 3 had the highest

mean which is 4.44, showing that most of the respondents were all provided with mining tools

by their financiers. Statement 1, 2, and 4 gathered the same mean, 4.4 saying that most of them

were provided with free medicines and vitamins, weekly given with food by their team leader

and distributes the things that their financier had provided to them. Statement 6 had a mean of 4

showing that they are using 60-40 system when dividing incomes. On the other hand, statement

5 got a mean of 2.76 telling that sometimes, their team leader considers absences a deduction

to their income.

14

The table corresponds to what C. Doyle, C. Wicks and F. Nally that the financiers should

gave funds the mining in the Philippines. And that the financiers must give the miners their

needs in order to have a better time of work but in the form of limited generosity so that the

business is still standing.

The table negates the statement of T. Hentschel, F. Hruschka, and M. Priester, that

small-scale mining lacks capital for the financing. It has a big financial problem and difficulties in

the roll of funds.

Table 5. The Safety Conditions of the Small-scale Miners in Brgy. Bukal,

Nabunturan Compostela Valley Province.

STATEMENT MEAN DESCRIPTION

1. I wear skull guard in the

mining site.3.12 SOMETIMES

2. I wear rubber boots in the

site.4.48 ALWAYS

3. I wear face mask when

handling chemicals.3.72 FREQUENTLY

4. I wear gloves when

handling chemicals.3.96 FREQUENTLY

5. I bring spotlight when

entering tunnels.3.92 FREQUENTLY

6. I follow-up safety

insurances.3.28 SOMETIMES

7. Our team leader conducts

an inspection to the

tunnels for safety

purposes.

4.28 FREQUENTLY

1.0-1.7 – NEVER DID/ EXPERIENCE1.8-2.5 – OFTEN DO/ EXPERIENCE2.6-3.4 – SOMETIMES DO/EXPERIENCE3.5-4.2 – FREQUENTLY DO/ EXPERIENCE4.3-5.0 – ALWAYS DO/EXPERIENCE

As shown in table 5, the safety condition of the respondents played from the means of

3.12-4.48 which showed a low risk of danger when they are in the mining site. Statement 1

showed mean of 3.12 which said that they sometimes wear skull guards in the mining site.

15

Statement 2 accounted 4.48 saying that most of them wear rubber boots in the mining site.

Statement 3 got a mean of 3.72 showing that they frequently wear face mask when handling

hazardous chemicals. Statement 4 had a mean of 3.96 showing that they frequently wear

gloves when they handle chemicals. Statement 5 had a mean of 3.92 saying that they frequently

bring spotlights when entering tunnels. Statement 6 got a mean of 3.28 which gives a hint that

they sometimes follow-up their safety insurances and statement gathered a mean of 4.28 saying

that most of the time, their team leader conducts an inspection to the tunnels for safety

purposes.

The table shows that the respondents followed the DAO No. 97-30 (Sept. 11, 1997)

which stated that all miners should wear protective tools like skull guards, rubber boots and

must bring lighting device such as spotlights. The table also agreed with the statement on Coal

Mine Health Inspection Procedures Handbook 9 ,that any persons who are involved in handling

hazardous chemicals must wear protective wardrobes such as face masks, hand gloves.

Table 6. The Condition of the Relationship of the Small-scale Miners of Brgy. Bukal,

Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province to their Family.

STATEMENTS MEAN DESCRIPTION

1. I go home weekly. 2.64 GOOD

2. I go home monthly. 2.28 POOR

3. I work with my family in the

mining site.2.12 POOR

4. We conduct family reunion. 3.16 GOOD

5. I go to church with my

family.3.28 GOOD

6. I experience family

problems due to my work.3.48 GOOD

1.0-1.7 – VERY POOR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP1.8-2.5 – POOR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP2.6-3.4 – GOOD FAMILY RELATIONSHIP3.5-4.2 – VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP4.3-5.0 – EXCELLENT FAMILY RELATIONSHIP

16

The condition of the relationships of the respondents with their family which is also

affected by their work had also tabulated in table 6. As shown in the table 6, the means ran from

2.12-3.48 that shows a negative good relationship between the respondents and their families.

Statement 1 had a mean of 2.64 showing that most of the respondents seldom come back to

their home weekly. While statement 2 got a mean of 2.28 saying that they don’t usually come

back to their homes monthly. Statement 3 shows that most of them do not work with their family

in the mining site with a mean of 2.12. Statement 4 gathered a mean of 3.16 showing that many

of the respondents seldom conduct a family reunion. Statement 5 had a mean of 3.28 showing

that the respondents they go to church with their family only a few rimes. And the statement 6

accounted 3.48 of mean that they experience a family problem due to their work.

The table agreed to D. Hamilton that working far away from home could create a loss of

communication, and could build walls between each member of the family.

Table 7. The Ranking of the Government Actions that the Small-scale Miners in the Brgy.

Bukal, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.

STATEMENTSRANK VOTES

1 2 3 4 5

1. The government will

conduct a monthly check-

up to the miners.

5 7** 4 3 6

2. To be a legal worker and

be given enough education

pertaining to the work.

3 6 10*** 5 2

3. To have a complete safety

insurances.10* 3 3 5 3

4. To have a family

orientation regarding the

work of the miners in order

for the family to understand

the miner’s work and the

miner himself.

3 6 5 7**** 4

5. To have a government

agency specified for the 4 3 3 5 10*****

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miners that monitors all the

developments and

happenings as well as the

conditions of the miners.

TOTAL 25 25 25 25 25

*- first rank**- second rank***- third rank****- fourth rank*****- fifth rank

Table 6 contains the second part of the survey questionnaire where in there are

statements regarding some government actions that the respondents wanted to be implemented

for their betterment. Statement 3 was ranked 1 with the votes of 10 respondents, next is the

statement 1 which gathered 7 votes from the respondents. Third is the statement 2 with 10

votes out of 25 respondents who voted for it to be third. Fourth is the statement 4 itself with the

votes of 7. And fifth is the statement 5 with 10 votes.

The table agreed to the report of the Mongolian Nature and Environment Consortium

that miners need social insurances because of the risky work of the miners and its accident

prone environment of the work. The table also serves as a proof to the statement of the M.

Heemskerk & M. Olivieira that most of the miners do not possess safety insurances.

CHAPTER V

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

Summary

18

The study was conducted through a survey scheme method at the Brgy. Bukal,

Nabunturan Compostela Valley Province and was entitled, “The Condition of Small-scale Miners

in Brgy. Bukal, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.” Held on March 11, 2012.

The researchers chose 25 respondents to answer their questionnaire. Through their

responses, it was found out that 9 out of the respondents aged from 16-21 whom dominated the

survey. The main objective of the study was achieved through the responses of the respondents

to the six categories of the questionnaire. The information gathered from the survey was

interpreted through Likert scale method and Frequency and percentage method.

The first category was the health condition of the respondents and showed a mean

range from 1.48-3.12 which showed a good health condition of the respondents. The statements

4and 6 had the mean of 1.48 which meant that the respondents barely experience breathing

difficulties and food poisoning. While statement 1 had the mean of 3.12 showing that the

respondents usually experience back pains because of their work. The second category is the

economic status of the respondents which showed that the respondents were in the description

of good economic status by looking at the range of mean of the category, 2.52-3.48. The lowest

mean was in the statement 2 saying about the respondents’ capability on sending their children

to kindergarten to college. And the highest mean was at the statement 1 which pertained on the

food providence of the respondents to their family. The third category was the administration of

their work which also showed a positive result on the study, by the mean range of 2.76-4.44 the

respondents proved that they were well managed by their financiers and team leader.

Statement 3 had gathered 4.44 which meant that the respondents were well provided with

mining tools and statement 5 had the lowest mean of 2.76 saying that their team leader

sometimes considers absences as deduction to the income. Fourth category was the safety

condition of the respondents that showed a low risk of danger of the respondents in the mining

site. The range of mean is from 3.12- 4.48. This range was from the statement 1 which states

that the respondents seldom wear skull guards and statement 2 which says that most of the

respondents wear rubber boots when they are in the mining site. The fifth category is the

condition of the family relationships among the respondents. The mean range is from 2.12-3.48

which showed a good family relationship between the respondents and their respective family.

The mean 2.12 is for the statement 3 which says that most of the respondents don’t work with

their family in the mining site and the mean 3.48 stands for the last statement which says that

the respondents had experienced some family problems due to their work. And the last category

was the second part of the questionnaire which contained some governmental actions that the

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respondents wanted from the government. It was ranked from one up to 5. And the results

showed that the respondents’ most wanted governmental action is the statement 3 which talks

about the complete safety insurances for the respondents. The fifth on the rank was the

statement 5 that states about governmental agency that would check the small-scale mining

and the small-scale miners’ condition.

Conclusions

Through the study, the researchers conclude the following:

Even in the dirty and tiring perspective of mining, the health condition of the small-

scale miners in Brgy. Bukal, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province is in the good

state. Sometimes they experience body pains but simple type of pains only.

The gold mining in Brgy. Bukal, Nabunturan Compostela Valley Province helped the

economic status of the miners to be in a good status and they can afford to live in

their chosen living place.

The respondents experience excellent administration from their financiers and team

leaders and that they are not treated unfairly. Their financiers provide them with

everything they need for their work.

The respondents have a low risk of danger which is good for them. They set simple

safety measures for themselves’ safety.

Due to their work, the respondents have a gap between them and their family. They

no longer do what a family usually does because of their work stands in the way.

The respondents need safety insurances because they are all aware that their lives

are all at risk due to their work

Recommendations

In line with the conclusions above, the researchers humbly recommend the following:

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To the respondents should continue have a good health condition which is affected by

their work. They should also maintain the economic status that the mining brought to

them nowadays. The miners should also continue practicing safety measures in the

mining site to avoid accidents. On the other hand, the miners should set time for their

families so as to improve their relationship.

The financiers as well as the team leader will continue to provide the miners with their

needs as far as the mining are concerned. And continue the excellent administration to

the miners.

To government agencies and non-governmental organizations, they should set attention

to the small-scale miners and give incentives through implementing policies and

regulations in line with the conditions of the miners, complete safety insurances as an

example of these policies.

To the college students who are planning to have a study with connection to this study,

the students might study the effects of land elevation to their work as miners in the Brgy.

Bukal, Nabunturan Compostela Valley Province.

CHAPTER VI

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