I.

Facts

What is black sand mining? It is the process of acquiring magnetite from areas having rich deposits such as sea shores. The Philippines is a tropical archipelago and as a result, it has been considered as a country with one of the best coastlines that are rich in natural resources. However, since the beginning of such mining operations, the natural barrier to the sea wall has been scarred in the Philippines coastlines. What are the effects of these mining operations? First, Worsened flooding and bank erosion. An Environmental Investigation Mission (EIM) conducted by the Center for Environmental Concerns Philippines alongside various advocacy and sectoral groups on four municipalities of Cagayan Province from September 18-19, 2010, concluded that observed magnetite mining operations along the Cagayan River in the municipalities of Camalaniugan, Lal-lo and Aparri have worsened flooding due to bank erosion. Second, Threatened fish supply. The EIM also concluded that magnetite mining contributed to the depletion of fisheries supply. The probe noted observations of locals that fresh water mollusk known locally as Unnok and fish locally known as Ludung were reported to have drastically decreased in supply with the start of black sand mining. Third, Mining increases vulnerability to erosion. It could either happen; a) Through destruction of sand dunes or; b) Through disruption of coastal sediment budget. Erosion was observed in the magnetite mining-affected coastal communities in the municipalities of Gonzaga and Aparri, because of the destruction of sand dunes and the disruption of the coastal sediment budget. These findings were further confirmed in a 2012 Environmental and Social Risk Appraisal (ESRA) led by Kalikasan PNE last September 8-10, 2012. Fish kills were reported by local fisher folk in the Buguey Lagoon, where 50 percent of their local Malaga cultures perished between January and February 2012. The ESRA also noted that seven out of nine villages they surveyed were manifesting salt water intrusion, foul odor and discoloration and chemical contamination of deep wells and other fresh water supplies. These, in turn, affect their supply of potable water, their agricultural land and crop quality. II. Position

III.

Arguments to support position

Worsened flooding and bank erosions are a danger to the residents. These effects would also add to the damage of tsunamis, flash floods and other natural disasters such as landslides and akin but not limited to such calamities. Even if we consider the logic of simple dredging to solve flooding and bank erosion, recent field observations and resident accounts point to the fact that these operations are ineffective in addressing these problems. In contrast to the expected result, flooding and bank erosion have continued or worsened. The latter has caused the destruction of houses, infrastructures and farmlands.

Mining activities threaten this important supply of fish and other aquatic products. The mining of black sand from the river/ocean bed disrupts the habitat of benthic organism- one of the key elements of aquatic life. Main inhabitants here are worms, shells and arthropods as well as a huge variety of algae. As these species are especially adapted to their environment, they are highly sensitive and react to any kind of change that occurs. Various reports would manifest that the small scale and large scale miners work in agreement with the local government in the mining of magnetite, otherwise known as black sand. This resource has proved to be a valuable when traded with countries like china and others. Other particles found in black sand, have proved to be valuable for the production of semi-conductors and the like. Magnetite is one of the minerals found in black sand and is an important ore of iron. Its perfect crystals are also popular among mineral collectors, and the magnetic Lodestone variety is popular among amateur collectors. This mineral is also of significant scientific interest because of its special magnetic properties. Magnetite is highly magnetic, apparently the most magnetic natural mineral on Earth. Done by excavating the soil and separated by means of strong magnetic block. Magnetite is used as magnetic storage (e.g. disk drive, floppy drive and music tapes), sorbent, ferrofluids, industrial coatings and as catalysts. What is black sand? It is the accumulation of fragments of durable, usually dark, heavy minerals (those with a density greater than that of quartz). These accumulations are found in streambeds or on beaches where stream flow and wave energy are sufficient to carry away low-density material but not the heavy minerals. Thus, heavy minerals resistant to weathering and abrasion concentrate in these areas, though they may be only minor constituents of inland rocks. Placer mining of such deposits yields magnetite, cassiterite, and zircon, as well as gold, platinum, and other rare metals. Laws: Environment Code PD no. 1152 Chapter II Title III Land Use Management Sec. 22. Purpose The purposes of this Title are: a. To provide a rational, orderly, and efficient, acquisition, utilization, and disposition of land and its resources in order to derive therefrom maximum benefits; and b. To encourage the prudent use and conservation of land resources in order toprevent an imbalance between the nations needs and such resources. Title IV Natural Resources Management and Conversation Sec. 25. Purposes The purposes of this Title are: a. To provide the basic policy on the management and conservation of the countrys natural resources to obtain the optimum benefits therefrom and to preserve the same for the future generations; and b. To provide general measures through which the aforesaid policy may be carried out effectively.

IV. Recommendation

Sources: Salamat, M. (2013, September 18). Black sand mining: eroding livelihoods, destroying communities Bulatlat. Retrieved March 16, 2014, from http://bulatlat.com/main/2013/09/18/black-sand-mining-eroding-livelihoods-destroyingcommunities/ Vicedo, M. (2012, April 27). Bad Effects of Black Sand/Magnetite Mining | luntian corner. Retrieved from http://www.luntiancorner.com/green/black-sand-magnetite-mining/ The Editors of Encyclopdia Britannica (n.d.). black sand (mineral) -- Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/68225/black-sand Clark, G. B. (2013, May 21). mining -- Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/384099/mining Diola, C. (2013, August 5). De Lima vows to pursue raps vs Chinese black sand miners. The Philippine Star [MANILA, Philippines]. Retrieved from http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/08/05/1055081/de-lima-vows-pursue-raps-vschinese-black-sand-miners Boongaling, C. (2012, January 20). Stripped of our Sand: The Effects of Magnetite Mining in Cagayan | Center for Environmental Concerns. Retrieved from http://www.cecphils.org/feedback-2011-ish1-magnetite-mining Magnetite: The mineral Magnetite information and pictures. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2014, from http://www.minerals.net/mineral/magnetite.aspx

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