Apex vs. small scale miners battle rages

By Media Mindanao News Service
News Digest Volume 1, August 1987-July 1988 Posted by Davao Today

MT. DIWALWAL, Davao del Norte (MMNS/September 15, 1987) — Small scale miners went on an unprecedented symbolic strike Monday to denounce the alleged “intrusion” of a mining company at least in their mining areas.

Traders cheered as about 5,000 workers marched through the five-kilometer business district here, where at least P6 million worth of gold produced daily.

The protesters led by the Mt. Diwata Miners and Settlers Society (MDMSS) later converged in front of the Apex Mining Co. compound and called for an immediate settlement of the conflict. Apex and MDMSS were contesting a small gold site claimed to contain “perpetual supply” of productive gold ores.

The area has been cordoned off by the mining company “to prevent other people to come in and grab what we explored,” according to an Apex official.

Apex presently is constructing a road leading to the gold site which the MDMSS was trying to stop.

The rallyists lambasted the mining company for its alleged plan to eventually phase out local miners causing tension in the community.

A representative of the Muslim settlers, Sultan Macadatu, vowed to resort to “other means” should their livelihood be halted. “We are ready to die here,” he said.

Other miners were starting to buy arms for self-defense according to MDMSS president Reynaldo Espanola. But he said: “We will follow the law in our fight against big companies.”

“We have the gold, let us buy guns,” said another miner who requested anonymity.

The MDMSS also chided the government for neglecting small scale miners. “We feel neglected,” said Espanola. “The only government agency here is the military,” he added.

Reynaldo Dionisio, Apex coordinator for Mindanao, denied all the charges saying the company has been granted two mining permits “to extract and dispose” gold ores. (Media Mindanao News Service News Digest Volume 1, August 1987-July 1988 Posted by Davao Today)