XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 817
the plant design based on their experience to tailor fit small-
scale mining application.
CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM
Prior to construction of the processing plants, there had
been community engagement by way of focused group
discussions and interviews. The aim was to initially learn
about the attitude and needs of these communities and to
introduce the research project. It is of utmost importance
to consider the attitude and needs of the small-scale min-
ing communities, especially that some of them are mem-
bers of tribes or indigenous groups, to be able to devise
an appropriate approach to make them accept the project.
It is important that they understand that the processing
plants utilizing non-cyanide and non-mercury process is
for them that the research project is meant to help them.
This is crucial for the sustainability of the processing plants.
Understanding their needs as well as their capacities also
contributed to the design of the training workshops that
were conducted.
After the initial community engagement, a capacity-
building program was implemented which aimed to deter-
mine the existing capacities and needs of the small-scale
mining communities and address these through identifica-
tion of knowledge, skills and attitude gaps. The program
was designed to include formal and informal educational
activities. It was divided into three (3) phases: 1) assess-
ment of learning needs and capacities, 2) implementation
of a series of training workshops, and 3) follow-through
and evaluation. A deeper understanding of their needs and
capacities was acquired through community integration.
This included answering survey questions, focused group
discussions and even informal conversations with the mem-
bers of the community (small-scale miners and families).
They were allowed to discuss collectively, state their opin-
ions, involve themselves in debate and come to a resolution.
Each member of the community has his or her own experi-
ences, hence the researchers were sensitive and respected
their opinions and their ways of living.
The community training was aimed to develop the
individual skills and organizational capacities of the small-
scale miners. The training included lectures, workshops,
and hands-on demonstrations. The training topics involve
technical and community development. The technical top-
ics revolve around responsible mining, particularly teaching
them the basic principles of mineral processing and gold
extraction. They were taught the non-cyanide, non-mercury
gold extraction method that would be deployed in their
community. During the training, the miners also provided
practical suggestions to make the method more applicable
to small-scale operation. The community development
topics focused on gender sensitivity, resource management,
leadership, and project development and management.
Involvement of the miners during the commissioning of
the processing plants was also part of the training.
An important outcome of the capacity-building pro-
gram was the involvement of the miners (through the
small-scale mining associations) in the management and
operation of the processing plants.
CHALLENGES
It is the goal of the government for the small-scale mining
operators to turn to responsible mining and adapt the con-
structed processing plants. However, there are challenges
and issues associated with small-scale mining the miners
still have reservations on using the processing plants.
Small-scale mining is a culture—a tradition that has
been passed from one generation to another. For most,
small-scale mining is the only livelihood they know. Small-
scale mining communities are poverty-driven where they
greatly depend on small-scale mining for food and to be
able to send their children to school in the hope of a better
future. However, due to poverty, most of the children are
not able to go to university. They stop their education after
senior high school to help their family earn a living. There is
a trade-off between the cost of safety and health of the min-
ers and the poverty they experience. They know the risk to
their health and to the environment but at the end of each
day, the miners would only care about bringing food for
their families. Hence, it is not simple for a miner to com-
pletely leave the job that provides for them and embrace
something new they are not used to operating, and not sure
if they will earn money from it. After all, small-scale mining
is for the survival of the miners and their families.
In the case of small-scale mining in the Philippines,
technology and education may not be enough to solve their
problem. There are cultural, tied to socio-political issues
that need to be considered and addressed. It is through
completely comprehending the life of a small-scale miner
can we create appropriate solutions to help them.
Despite the challenges and issues, the government,
researchers and even large-scale mining operations strive
to assist small-scale mining communities. The government
continues to fund research programs to empower the com-
munities through technology and capacity building. Some
large-scale mining operations reach out to help the com-
munity progress by providing alternative source of living
such as hiring them as workers in the company, provid-
ing scholarships for the youth to pursue tertiary education,
providing basic health care and access to roads.
the plant design based on their experience to tailor fit small-
scale mining application.
CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM
Prior to construction of the processing plants, there had
been community engagement by way of focused group
discussions and interviews. The aim was to initially learn
about the attitude and needs of these communities and to
introduce the research project. It is of utmost importance
to consider the attitude and needs of the small-scale min-
ing communities, especially that some of them are mem-
bers of tribes or indigenous groups, to be able to devise
an appropriate approach to make them accept the project.
It is important that they understand that the processing
plants utilizing non-cyanide and non-mercury process is
for them that the research project is meant to help them.
This is crucial for the sustainability of the processing plants.
Understanding their needs as well as their capacities also
contributed to the design of the training workshops that
were conducted.
After the initial community engagement, a capacity-
building program was implemented which aimed to deter-
mine the existing capacities and needs of the small-scale
mining communities and address these through identifica-
tion of knowledge, skills and attitude gaps. The program
was designed to include formal and informal educational
activities. It was divided into three (3) phases: 1) assess-
ment of learning needs and capacities, 2) implementation
of a series of training workshops, and 3) follow-through
and evaluation. A deeper understanding of their needs and
capacities was acquired through community integration.
This included answering survey questions, focused group
discussions and even informal conversations with the mem-
bers of the community (small-scale miners and families).
They were allowed to discuss collectively, state their opin-
ions, involve themselves in debate and come to a resolution.
Each member of the community has his or her own experi-
ences, hence the researchers were sensitive and respected
their opinions and their ways of living.
The community training was aimed to develop the
individual skills and organizational capacities of the small-
scale miners. The training included lectures, workshops,
and hands-on demonstrations. The training topics involve
technical and community development. The technical top-
ics revolve around responsible mining, particularly teaching
them the basic principles of mineral processing and gold
extraction. They were taught the non-cyanide, non-mercury
gold extraction method that would be deployed in their
community. During the training, the miners also provided
practical suggestions to make the method more applicable
to small-scale operation. The community development
topics focused on gender sensitivity, resource management,
leadership, and project development and management.
Involvement of the miners during the commissioning of
the processing plants was also part of the training.
An important outcome of the capacity-building pro-
gram was the involvement of the miners (through the
small-scale mining associations) in the management and
operation of the processing plants.
CHALLENGES
It is the goal of the government for the small-scale mining
operators to turn to responsible mining and adapt the con-
structed processing plants. However, there are challenges
and issues associated with small-scale mining the miners
still have reservations on using the processing plants.
Small-scale mining is a culture—a tradition that has
been passed from one generation to another. For most,
small-scale mining is the only livelihood they know. Small-
scale mining communities are poverty-driven where they
greatly depend on small-scale mining for food and to be
able to send their children to school in the hope of a better
future. However, due to poverty, most of the children are
not able to go to university. They stop their education after
senior high school to help their family earn a living. There is
a trade-off between the cost of safety and health of the min-
ers and the poverty they experience. They know the risk to
their health and to the environment but at the end of each
day, the miners would only care about bringing food for
their families. Hence, it is not simple for a miner to com-
pletely leave the job that provides for them and embrace
something new they are not used to operating, and not sure
if they will earn money from it. After all, small-scale mining
is for the survival of the miners and their families.
In the case of small-scale mining in the Philippines,
technology and education may not be enough to solve their
problem. There are cultural, tied to socio-political issues
that need to be considered and addressed. It is through
completely comprehending the life of a small-scale miner
can we create appropriate solutions to help them.
Despite the challenges and issues, the government,
researchers and even large-scale mining operations strive
to assist small-scale mining communities. The government
continues to fund research programs to empower the com-
munities through technology and capacity building. Some
large-scale mining operations reach out to help the com-
munity progress by providing alternative source of living
such as hiring them as workers in the company, provid-
ing scholarships for the youth to pursue tertiary education,
providing basic health care and access to roads.