By Hent | Herald Express | September 2, 2026

(PHOTO: HERALD EXPRESS)

ITOGON, Benguet – The desire of small-scale miners to legalize their operations under the umbrella of large-scale mining companies gained headway after the Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC) adopted Itogon Suyoc Resources Inc.’s (ISRI’s) pioneering program, the big brother, small brother initiative that was embraced by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Under the BBSB program, large-scale mining companies are mandated to extend assistance to small-scale miners preferably within their tenement area transition into legal, safer, and environmentally responsible operations.

In 2021, ISRI pioneered the BBSB with one small-scale mining group before it expanded its partnership to three associations in 2024 to date.

The BBSB program which was conceptualized by APEX Mining president Engr. Luis R. Sarmeinto is aligned with the MGB’s efforts to legitimize the operations of small-scale mining to improve current mine safety practices, environmental compliance, and economic appointees for the small-scale miners.

Further, the program requires large-scale mining companies to provide their partners with technical assistance, mine planning, safety systems, environmental management, mineral processing, regulatory compliance, and market access to allow small-scale miners to realize the benefits of legitimate operations.

The government’s mining arm supported the said initiative as it is geared towards addressing the long standing issues in the informal mining sector, including unsafe working conditions, illegal mining, environmental degradation, pollution, use of banned minerals in processing, and limited economic opportunities for the pocket miners.

ISIR is a subsidiary of the Maco-based Apex Mining Company, Inc. (AMCI) which operates the Sangilo-based mine in the municipality and handles the Suyoc exploration in Mankayan, Benguet.

The PMDC cited ISRI’s successful roll out and sustained implementation of the BBSB that reflects the way collaboration can significantly improve mining safety practices, compliance to environmental and mining rules and regulations and legitimize sources of livelihood for the affected pocket miners.

Concerned government agencies, local government units, indigenous communities, mining associations, and industry partners were urged to implement the aforesaid model in sustainable mining areas to maximize the benefits of mining in community development and overall economic growth locally and nationally for the greater interest of the Filipino people.

Itogon is one of the mineral-rich towns in Benguet where several large-scale mining companies are currently operating that serves as a major source of income of the local government for the sustained delivery of basic services and implementation of high impact development projects in the different barangays.

ISRI continues to look for partner small-scale mining associations in the different mineral-rich areas of the municipality to ensure the practice of responsible mining among the involved stakeholders to provide sustainable economic activities and sources of livelihood of the people in the said affected areas.

Source: Herald Express