R-10 government agencies convene for a validation of CdeO-Opol gold exploration project. 

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In line with the proposed Cagayan de Oro-Opol Gold Exploration Project of the Philippine Mining Development, Corp. (PMDC), the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-NorMin) convened a validation team from the Mines and Geoscience Bureau – Region 10 (MGB-10), Bureau of Soils and Water Management – Central Office (BSWM-CO), City Government of Cagayan de Oro and the PMDC for a joint ground validation on Tuesday, November 7, in this city.

In a pre-validation meeting presided by DA-10 Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, the inter-agency validation team leveled off in carrying out the ground validation in light of pertinent legal mechanisms and guidelines.

The ground validation mainly aims to identify and ascertain the presence and location of the Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zone (SAFDZ) covered within the 992 hectares prospected tenement of the PMDC’s exploration project.

As prescribed under Executive Order No. 79 series of 2012, areas classified as SAFDZ are no-go zones for mining.

Results and findings of the joint ground validation will be subsequently endorsed to the MGB-10 and its national directorate office as the basis for Exploration Permit issuance.

The PMDC’s Cagayan de Oro-Opol Gold Exploration Project covers barangay Taglimao, Tuburan, Pigsag-an, and Tumpagon in Cagayan de Oro City, and barangay Tingalan, Nangcaon, and Cauyonan in Opol, Misamis Oriental.# (ATT)