A new Minahang Bayan area was allowed to operate in Benguet Province amid government efforts to increase the country’s gold and silver output especially with the declaration of mining areas where small-scale miners could legally operate in.

A statement from Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) showed that the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Benguet Province, through PMRB Resolution No. 0004, s. 2021, recently approved the Minahang Bayan of the Federation of Taneg Indigenous Communities Livelihood Association (FTICLA).

The recently approved Minahang Bayan covers an area of 96.25 hectares located at Barangay Taneg, Mankayan, Benguet.

Meanwhile, the Board also approved the renewal of the Small-Scale Mining Contract of Loacan Itogon Pocket Miners’ Association (LIPMA), with an area of 15 hectares located at Barangay Loacan, Itogon, Benguet.

In November, MBG said it is eyeing increased production in gold and silver, which will be achieved through the declaration of more Minahang Bayan areas across different parts of the country.

“MGB is now working diligently on the formalization and declaration of the new Minahang Bayan,” the government agency said.

“With MB very much in the scene, we are optimistic that gold, silver, and chromite production will rise,” it added.

There are 43 formally declared Minahang Bayan areas in the Philippines, 13 of which are in Luzon, three in Visayas, and 27 in Mindanao.

MGB said there are currently 170 pending applications for new Minahang Bayan areas across different parts of the country.

A Minahang Bayan is an area in the Philippines where small-scale mining (SSM) operations can legally operate. Holders of a Minahang Bayan permit only have two years to operate upon obtaining government clearance, but they are allowed to renew.

Commodities found in Minahang Bayan areas are limited to gold, silver, and chromite.