Homonhon Chromite Loading, July 1, 2007

The otherwise creamy beaches of Kangkimpong in Homonhon Island have turned rust-colored with mine run-off from chromite open pits in the nearby mountains.

This video shows raw chromite being readied for export. Tractors scooped black piles of chromite onto the backs of trucks, which loaded a barge. The barge sailed to transfer its cargo to a ship moored in the distance. (On this day it is the Zephyr Panama.) The barge then shuttled back to the pier to receive more truck loads. Residents say that as soon as the loading is done, the ships would be off to Japan.

The mining company uses its wash pan to let water flow separate black chromite from other soil particles. The water carries these downhill, resulting in a red carpet of silt on the beach.

The silt extends over fish spawning grounds near the shore. Local fisherfolk also fear that, because the insides of fish caught near this area are as discolored as the beach, they may be unsafe to eat. Local subsistence fisherfolk say they need to sail farther for a decent catch. This raises their fuel costs and drives down their incomes.

On bad days, the fresh spring water gets an unmistakable tint and flavor, too, and residents say they have to go elsewhere for a safe drink.

For more, see:

"Complicity"
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_...

http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/theenvironmentreport/view.php?db=1&am...

"To lose a forest"
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_...

"Mining's influence on local elections"
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20060917-21433/Minin...

http://cielyg.posterous.com/pro-poor-growth-in-the-philippines

http://twitter.com/cielyg

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• mining
• company
• chromite
• export
• mine
• forest
• environment
• fisherfolk
• Japan
• Philippines
• Samar
• Guiuan
• Homonhon

[wroxjhen]

Thanks for posting that video, i know the Government already watched it so i hope they plan some move to deteriorate this such unnecessary work.

[Bugoy19]

Thank you for posting this vid and i'm glad that ppl are moved by what's going on. Let's just hope that the ppl of homonhon and samar to can come together to stop the mining of our beautiful islands.

Side note:

[When Ferdinand Magellan reached the Mariana Islands, he named Guam "Isla de Ladrones" (Island of Thieves) because some of his supplies in the galleon Trinidad were stolen]

[dexmina]

dexmina:

STOP KURakot!!!!...iTIGIL ANG ILLEGAL MINING sa Guiuan.

[anmatuod]

It's a big lie to say that mining is a "welcome" development and a "blessing" for the people of Homonhon. The Homonhonanons are revolting against it because it is destroying their land and the sea from where they get their livelihood. Their water sources are now contaminated and the surrounding waters heavily silted. Local fishermen could no longer have a good catch because of the pollution. The mining operations has brought destruction not development; it is a curse rather than a blessing.

[anmatuod]

Talaga? Are you sure that the "millions of dollars" for every loading of chromite (sic) goes to the public funds for the benefit of the poor? Hindi kaya sa "mga bulsa ng mga KURAKOT na opisyal ng gobyerno" napupunta ang pera sa mina? Now tell us how much has the Municipality of Guiuan earned from these mining operations both in Manicani and Homonhon. Tingnan mo nga sa Office of the Municipal Treasurer sa Guiuan kung magkano ang napunta sa kaban ng bayan. Alam kong alam mong wala.

[edenclarke]

dpat tlagang ipatigil na yang pgmimina sa homomhon at sa manicani kung tutuusin malaki ang kita ng municipality ng guiuan pero ano ang ngyari wala tau npala dahil kinurakot lang ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno pnahon pa yan ni sison ngumpisa ang mina si sison lang ang yumaman yan .....

[govindrajMR]

i thought chromite is used to get chromium only.well never knew that this ore can also be converted into iron and aluminium.we have lots of iron ore mines in india and thats y the price of iron has been shot up in world market .and the great news which is spilled by the person whos id says heart of samar that it contains 10% of gold dust.well people beware you told the unbeliveable,the pirates are on the way now ha ha.beautiful video hmm i know a person on duty too.i just saw them 2 goodday all.

[heartofsamar]

the purest chrome ore to be found in the universe is on homonhon island, its a very refine minerals,it can be converted to iron,alluminum etc. 10% of this ore is gold dust..in the nearby island of surigao we have the Geotherium, its an oil that would make the cars fly, the waste materials of this oil is a jet waste...government earn millions of dollars for every loading of this minerals and it goes in the public funds for the poor filipino people...if minning stop, we lost millions funds.

[shauei]

hi! thanks for telling me info about the location... the place is interesting din! i attended a family reunion last May 10,2008 in Bukidnon... i found out that my mom's side, the SALESA family came from Guiuan! it was the first reunion they had.. :-)

[juncapon]

For your info, Homonhon is located off the coast of Guian at the tip of Eastern Samar. That's the first island Magellan landed when he riched the Philippines. He called it "island of thieves" coz their food and other provisions in the boat were stolen by the natives of the island.