Wednesday, February 25, 2015

DENR XI bans 17 firms to supply, import cyanide



DAVAO DEL NORTE,  Feb. 25  (PIA)--- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI has cancelled the certificates of distributorship of 17 cyanide suppliers.

Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada, Monday, disclosed that he had taken action on the recommendation of Regional Director Metodiio Turbella of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) XI.

Turbella on Feb. 9 submitted to Fragada the list of cancelled Chemical Control Order (CCO) for Cyanide Registration Certificates, identifying 17 firms and noting only two firms as legal or registered.

Six of the 17 cyanide suppliers whose certificates have been cancelled  are based in Tagum City; four are based in Davao City; one in Panabo; four in Mt. Diwata, Monkayo, Compostela Valley; and two in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.

The two remaining legal/registered suppliers of cyanide identified as Pacific Underground Innovative Solutions and Mindanamics Corp. are based in Tagum City.

Cyanide is essential in gold extraction but Fragada points out that the distribution has to be controlled because most of the suppliers have not declared their end-users.

During the meeting on Monday of the Program Monitoring & Coordination Center (PMCC) Project Diwalwal, Fragada revealed the need to control entry of cyanide to the gold-rush area because suppliers based in the area, have no identified end-users.

“It is better to regulate it,”  Fragada said  while also emphasizing that the cancellation of Chemical Control Order for Cyanide Registration Certificates not only covers supplying of cyanide but also imports of such chemical.  (Jeanevive Duron-Abangan, PIA XI)

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