Itogon tragedy yet another wakeup call vs mining ills

THE typhoon-induced landslide that buried a bunkhouse in the mining village of Ucab in Itogon, Benguet, is yet another tragic reminder of the perils of mining, particularly small-scale mining.

The Ucab landslide victims, according to the Chamber of Mines, were among those engaged in illegal gold-mining activities near the bunkhouse that used to be occupied by Benguet Corp. The area is a few kilometers away from the company’s Balatoc and Dalicno mines.