Fifteen (15) Mongolians involved in Artisanal Small-Scale Mining (ASSM) visited South Cotabato in order to learn first-hand the “best practices” of the thriving small-scale gold mining industry of the province.
NGO BAN Toxics, partner of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) in their campaign on Mercury-free mining, accompanied the Mongolians in their study tour.
PEMO chief Siegfred Flaviano presented to the visiting miners the Galing Pook-awarded “Minahang Bayanihan” Program of the province through an audio-visual presentation which was translated by the group’s interpreter.
Earlier, Provincial Tourism Officer Cesar Sulit Jr. formally welcomed the group and likewise presented the tourism programs and destinations in the province.
After a short courtesy call at the Office of the Governor, BAN Toxics toured the group to a Mercury-Free Ball Mill facility in Poblacion, T’boli to witness first-hand the processing of concentrated gold ore using borax.
The Mongolians also visited the mining site in Kematu, T’boli and the province’s summer capital Lake Sebu before going back to their place.
