Small-scale miners get boost via DENR-MGB’s planetGOLD project

Fri July 11 2025

Local, small-scale gold miners nationwide are receiving a much-needed boost not only in income but also in livelihood security through the planetGOLD Project, a flagship initiative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

In a news release on Friday, DENR Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns Michael Cabalda cited the successful implementation of the project, which he said helped transform the once-informal operations into sustainable livelihoods.

“Sa pamamagitan ng formalization ng planetGOLD ay nagkaroon ng tulay ang mga manggagawa ng small-scale gold mining sa formal economy at nakatulong din ito upang maging propesyon ang sektor (Through the formalization of planetGOLD, small-scale gold mining workers have gained a bridge to the formal economy and it has also helped make the sector a profession),” he said.

PlanetGOLD Project, launched in 2019 and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has provided miners with access to legal permits, better financing options, modern equipment, and safer, mercury-free mining practices.

PlanetGOLD website said artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a thriving industry in the Philippines, with an estimated 500,000 miners operating in more than 40 provinces out of 81 provinces in the country.

It added that the Philippines is among the top 20 producers of gold worldwide, with 70 percent of its gold attributed to ASGM.

Cabalda said more than the technical support, the initiative serves as a bridge that helps small-scale gold miners in the formal economy while protecting their health and the environment.

“Layunin ng planetGOLD na matiyak na ang lahat ng small-scale gold mining ay maging ligtas, malinis at napagkakakitaan ng mga minero sa kanilang napiling hanapbuhay (PlanetGOLD aims to ensure that small-scale gold mining is safe, clean, and profitable for miners in their chosen occupation),” he said.

The MGB said that one major achievement of the project is the formalization of small-scale mining operations, allowing thousands of local miners to legalize their work, benefit from government support, and connect to domestic and global markets for fairer prices.

The Access to Finance and Markets, a component of the project, has helped local artisanal and small-scale gold miners to secure sustainable funding and reach the local gold market and international gold investors.

Through its Better Technologies aspect, it introduced mercury-free processing techniques that safeguard communities and local ecosystems.

The project also focused on Knowledge Management, helping miners share success stories and best practices, inspiring other communities to follow suit.

This July, the DENR-MGB is set to roll out its Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining National Action Plan for the Elimination of Mercury, a two-year initiative that aligns with the country’s commitment under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.

With 63 legal “Minahang Bayan” areas now operating nationwide, the government hopes to see more miners benefitting from safer, more profitable work, while contributing to local development and environmental protection.

The DENR-MGB said the planetGOLD Project in the Philippines is part of a global effort also implemented in Indonesia, Mongolia, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Peru, Guyana, and Ecuador, with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as key partners. (PNA)

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/