If the local government unit cannot benefit from the operation of a silica mining in its area of responsibility, it might as well oppose the renewal of permit of the company.

This was what Ayungon town Mayor Edsel Enardecido said in connection with the application of Goodyield Resources Development Inc. to renew for another 25 years the operation of a large scale silica mining in the area.

Enardecido said GRDI, which is operating on a temporary permit, is extracting an average of 30 metric tons of silica per month in barangay Maaslum, and selling this to Holcim Cement.

But he claimed that, for the last several years, the town has not benefited or received a single centavo from the excise tax that was remitted by the mining company directly to the national government.

Enardecido said that if the local government approves the company’s application for a large scale mining operation, this will cover 100 hectares or more, and will include portions of nearby barangay Handalamanon.

A consultative assembly is scheduled May 22 on the application of GRDI.

Meanwhile, operations for small-scale silica mining resumed in the town after being suspended for one month due to cracks on the road and landslides in the area being mined following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, he said.

Silica is a major component in the manufacture of cement and hardiflex.*JG

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