Upon his assumption to office, Central Luzon Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo ordered last June the Mine Management Division to conduct an immediate investigation on the continuous operation of Black Sand Mining in Candelaria, Zambales. This was after a report reached the MGB office that the Black Sand Mining which was issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) by the MGB last December continues its mining and processing activities.
Engineers Ruben Landayan and Fermin Pasos, Jr. in their latest investigation report confirmed the on-going mining and processing operations of black sand (magnetite)
along the coastline of Brgy. Binabalian, Candelaria, Zambales by New Jian Mining Corporation (NJMC). According to Engr. Landayan, personnel from NJMC presented to them a Small Scale Mining Permit (SSMP) and Provincial Environmental Compliance Certificate (PECC).
RD Alburo said under Batas Pambansa Blg. 265, the extraction of gravel and sand and such other activities that would erode and diminish the natural beauty of beaches, are prohibited. He added that the Philippine Mining Act also provides that onshore areas within 200 meters from the mean low tide level along the coast is close to mining applications and operations.
In his letter to Mr. Kenneth Kho, representative of NJMC, RD Alburo directed the NJMC to cease and desist from further conducting magnetite sand mining and benefication operation and immediately pull-out all equipment in the subject area. He also recommended for the cancellation of SSMP and PECC issued to NJMC.
Last year, a CDO was issued by then OIC, RD Danilo Uykieng against Mr. Roberto Go of Prime Peak Company after receiving complaint from Mayor Jean Misa Morana and some concerned residents of Candelaria to Director Uykieng. According to them, said operation is destructing their farmlands and affects the coastal area of Candelaria.
On February 23,, 2009 MGB personnel conducted spot monitoring and found out that there was an on-going installation of magnetite sand separator by New Gian Hwa Co. along the coastal area which is about (70) meters away from the coastline at Brgy. Binabalia, Candelaria, Zambales. This is more or less 1 kilometer away south of the site of the previous magnetite sand mining and processing operated by Mr. Roberto Go/Prime Peak Co.
Information gathered also revealed that the magnetite sand separator being put up in Brgy. Binabalian is the same with the one dismantled in Brgy. Dampay and that the company-operator had just change its name to New Gian Hwa Co. (NGHC).
On February 26, 2009, MGB 3 directed NGHC to Cease and Desist from installation and operation of magnetite sand separator and to immediately pull-out all equipment in the subject area.