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Empowering Small-Scale Mining Communities Through
Education and Technology
Kate Tungpalan, Herman Mendoza, Franco Luistro
1Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman
Oscar Ferrer
Doctor of Social Development Program, University of the Philippines Diliman
ABSTRACT: There are more than 100,000 small-scale miners operating all over the Philippines. However, few
are considered legal. The operation is governed by the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991. Typical small-
scale mining operations utilize rod mills for grinding, cyanide leaching and mercury for purification.
In an effort by the government to assist the small-scale miners, a series of trainings, workshops and focus group
discussions were conducted. These aim to i) get a better understanding of the small-scale mining communities,
ii) educate the miners and their families about the adverse health and environmental impact of cyanide and mer-
cury, and iii) introduce miners to, and teach them about the proper processing of gold. Pilot-scale gold process-
ing plants that apply gravity concentration, flotation, and chlorination were constructed in four (4) small-scale
mining communities around the country. These plants are operated by small-scale miners, and managed by the
local government units and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology.
Despite making the technology available, there is still reluctance from the miners to stop using mercury and
cyanide, according to their practice. The biggest challenge is cultural, tied to socio-political aspects. Small-scale
miners live in less privileged communities. The only job they know is mining gold, which was passed down by
many generations. The government, as well as mining companies, strive to help. They continuously educate the
small-scale miners provide scholarships for the youth to pursue tertiary education and fund research to provide
solutions to the technological challenges, and for community development.
Keywords: small-scale mining, non-cyanide and non-mercury gold extraction for small-scale mining, small-
scale mining community development
SMALL-SCALE MINING IN THE
PHILIPPINES
There are more than 100,000 small-scale miners operating
all over the Philippines. Small-scale mining is governed by
the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 which aims to
develop the small-scale mining industry while minimizing
the adverse environmental impact of small-scale mining.
The law requires that small-scale mining operations should
only be undertaken in a designated Minahang Bayan or the
People’s Small-Scale Mining Area. The Minahang Bayan is
an area given by the government to small-scale miners to
explore, develop and exploit for commercial production.
Empowering Small-Scale Mining Communities Through
Education and Technology
Kate Tungpalan, Herman Mendoza, Franco Luistro
1Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman
Oscar Ferrer
Doctor of Social Development Program, University of the Philippines Diliman
ABSTRACT: There are more than 100,000 small-scale miners operating all over the Philippines. However, few
are considered legal. The operation is governed by the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991. Typical small-
scale mining operations utilize rod mills for grinding, cyanide leaching and mercury for purification.
In an effort by the government to assist the small-scale miners, a series of trainings, workshops and focus group
discussions were conducted. These aim to i) get a better understanding of the small-scale mining communities,
ii) educate the miners and their families about the adverse health and environmental impact of cyanide and mer-
cury, and iii) introduce miners to, and teach them about the proper processing of gold. Pilot-scale gold process-
ing plants that apply gravity concentration, flotation, and chlorination were constructed in four (4) small-scale
mining communities around the country. These plants are operated by small-scale miners, and managed by the
local government units and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology.
Despite making the technology available, there is still reluctance from the miners to stop using mercury and
cyanide, according to their practice. The biggest challenge is cultural, tied to socio-political aspects. Small-scale
miners live in less privileged communities. The only job they know is mining gold, which was passed down by
many generations. The government, as well as mining companies, strive to help. They continuously educate the
small-scale miners provide scholarships for the youth to pursue tertiary education and fund research to provide
solutions to the technological challenges, and for community development.
Keywords: small-scale mining, non-cyanide and non-mercury gold extraction for small-scale mining, small-
scale mining community development
SMALL-SCALE MINING IN THE
PHILIPPINES
There are more than 100,000 small-scale miners operating
all over the Philippines. Small-scale mining is governed by
the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 which aims to
develop the small-scale mining industry while minimizing
the adverse environmental impact of small-scale mining.
The law requires that small-scale mining operations should
only be undertaken in a designated Minahang Bayan or the
People’s Small-Scale Mining Area. The Minahang Bayan is
an area given by the government to small-scale miners to
explore, develop and exploit for commercial production.