Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
A Research Paper
By
October 2018
ABSTRACT
Mining industries provide most of the materials we rely on to build infrastructures and
instruments of daily use, to obtain large amounts of energy, and to supply agriculture with
fertilizers that enable most of foods produced. At the same time, mining is the human activity
that has been more disturbing to environment and is linked to large social impacts and
inequalities. Notwithstanding, our future is deeply depending on mining. Several mining sectors,
from phosphate to uranium, are reviewed and their current impacts and challenges are discussed.
The mining legacy and environmental remediation, the present mining and challenges, and the
future mining and society are discussed in relationship with environmental health and sustainable
development. It is concluded that current mining practices need to change and contribute to
community development with more equity, and to protect better natural resources and
ecosystems in order to be environmentally acceptable and compliant with sustainable
development objectives.
This study used secondary data and studies from previous researchers who conducted
similar topic and improve it accordingly.
This study summarizes how important have been past mining activities and how important
it can be in the future, at least for some types of mining, and discusses the effects of mining, the
trends in mining impacts on environment and society, and how they shall avoid compromising
sustainable development.
DEDICATION
The researchers humbly dedicate this work to God Almighty, for always giving the strength and
faith and One who have made this endeavor fruitful. To their beloved Parents who has been their
This research project was made possible through the support offered by;
Dr. Ramon M. Docto President of Palawan State University, for giving the researchers
the opportunity to avail the facilities of the college;
Engr. Elucila M. Sespeñe, Dean of the CEAT college of Palawan State University., for
her approval to conduct the study in their school;
Ms. Liezl Aquino Florendo Tangonan, the adviser, for her guidance and assistant in
writing the research paper;
The interviewee who responded to our call to get their ideas of the research project;
The teachers, parents, friends and classmates for giving the researchers encouragements
and inspirations to finish the paper;
Lastly, to God Almighty for always being there throughout the times, in hardship, stress,
joy, and learning's when the researchers made this research paper. To Him, the humblest and
greatest gratitude are given.
By the Researchers
Approval Sheet
Through Economy or Environment” This research was prepared and presented to their
All the data contained in this research was researched, sorted and prepared by the
University SY 2018-2019.
This researched was accepted as one of our requirements or final examination in Final
Page
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This study aims to determined the roles of mining in Palawan, its effects, advantages and
disadvantages to the environment, and the Palaweño people. This study also seeks to inform its
audience what is mining all about and what it does to the economy and the environment,
Scientific Problem
From the dawn since mankind set foot in the Mother Earth, they have been practicing
mining for a long time now. We can trace back to the age of medieval era to the Roman empire,
how they extracted metals such as gold, silver, copper and bronze for tools, weapons, garments,
and treasures.
Mining industries in the modern world, provide many of the raw materials for equipment
we use daily, from aluminum cans up to electronic chips of cell phones and computers. To arrive
here, metal mining steadily increased over the centuries, with occasional “ rushes” for several
minerals (silver, gold, radium, etc.) which occurred in connection with booms in demand. The
common mining practice until very recently could be summarized in a few steps: from obtaining
a license, dig the ore, sell the metal, and, once the deposit was exhausted, walk‐away and start
another mine elsewhere (Jain et al. 2016; EB 2017). Not surprisingly, mining is among the
human activities with widest environmental and social impacts.
Herein, several mining sectors are revisited to highlight mining procedures, their effects,
and current challenges. Mining for base metals (e.g. Al, Fe, Mn, and Ni) and energy fuels (oil,
gas, coal, and uranium) requires large investments, and it is capital intensive, being carried out
mostly by major corporate companies. However, precious metals (e.g. Au, Ag, and Ta) in many
regions are often targeted by artisanal mining also. All have deep environmental impacts. The
legacy of radium and uranium mines in Europe is used to illustrate old mining practices, their
environmental and social impacts, and remediation costs. New mining projects are expected
today to incorporate lessons from past mining activities and meet societal and development
needs in a more efficient and less damaging way to the environment.
This statement of the problem focuses on the Palawan's future as the Last frontrier in the
Philippines-- as mining companies continuously increased in numbers to extract its rich natural
resources.
What can you do about this? Let the mine companies take it all for the sake of progress, or
would you chose to protect and preserve the environment?
a. Economy
b. Nature (water, air, soil etc. )
c. Wild life
d. People
e. Livelihood
3. What are the factors that led the society to choose mining through economy over
environment?
4. Is there significant relationship between economy and environment when it comes to mining?
Significance of the study
The student. This study will help the students to understand and learn some of the ideas
regarding mining. Its advantages and disadvantages to society and environment. It will also help
them to gain awareness even if it’ s just a glimpse of what mining looks like.
The professional individual. This study will not only help the students but other
professional individual as well, it will serve as a different point of view and stand point coming
from youth or young researchers.
The community. This study will help a lot to the community if given the chance to
improve and studied for more verification of the facts and sources cited in the study. As to it
pertains to a very interesting topic of the timely issue in our environment. To the palaweños, they
would be aware of what really is happening with the mining being done in palawan.also, they
can be enlightened whether the impacts brought by mining is good or bad. And also to know the
possible damages on both physical and mental state of humans. Also, for them to know how to
wary of the risks mining can give, especially the irresponsible ones. Also, to know how mining
improves the quality of life of Palaweños
The mining operators, companies and such. This study will help them to know the
possible ways to avoid or at least reduce the bad effect of mining in Palawan biodiversity. This
study also aims to become the starting point for them to acknowledge the do's and don'ts to
become responsible mining corporation,operators. And also it aims to start building relationship
with the local communities especially for those people who are prone to the possible hazards of
mining.
The government. This study will also help the government by giving them some ideas
and concern of the people like the researchers does. So that they would be aware what should
the government do to make mining more environmentally friendly. And also, help them to be
aware that the government should set a standard to regulates every mining corporation in order
to accept the responsible one and reject the irresponsible one.
The future researchers. This study will serve as one of the best source for related studies
of the same kind. It is worth of a further and more thorough research and as for future
researchers, they can improve and fill the deficiency of this research.
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Research suggests that moral concerns about mining's environmental impact have less
sway when money is on the line.
For many of us, protecting the environment is a moral imperative, one that we wouldn't
compromise for any amount of money. At least, that's what we like to think. According to a new
study, moral convictions may go out the window more easily than we'd like to admit when
money's on the line.
Take a look around, and it's not hard to see that both morals and money contribute to our
decisions, including environmental ones. Though organized religion's relationship with the
environment is complicated to say the least, religious figures throughout history have felt a moral
calling to protect the natural world. More recently, Pope Francis cast environmental issues in a
social—and therefore moral—light. Yet money is a strong pull, too, and we might not always feel
like we have a choice between taking care of our planet and simply getting by. But when does
one trump the other?
Searching for an answer, Brock Bastian, a psychologist at the University of New South
Wales, and Airong Zhang and Kieran Moffit, researchers at Australia's Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, turned their attention to mining, a textbook case
where environmental concerns come head to head with economic benefits.
The researchers contacted 7,463 people in mining and non-mining regions in Australia,
Chile, and China, and inquired about their feelings on mining. To measure moral convictions,
survey participants stated how strongly, on a scale of one to seven, they agreed with statements
such as "Mining threatens values that are important to me," or "My attitude toward mining is a
matter of principle." The researchers measured participants' beliefs about economic benefits
similarly, using questions about personal benefits from mining as well as mining's contributions
to the national economy. Finally, they asked participants to rate the degree to which they
accepted mining in their countries, along with demographic information such as age, sex, and so
forth.
As one would probably expect, both moral conviction and perceived economic benefits
"had a direct effect on acceptance of mining," the team writes in the journal PLoS One. That is,
such people who had stronger moral convictions or perceived fewer economic benefits were less
likely to support mining. But, more importantly, the authors explain, moral convictions had
about a third less impact on acceptance of mining when people perceived greater economic
benefits from mining. In other words, it wasn't just a matter of weighing morals against
economics—moral qualms about mining simply didn't matter as much to people when there was
money on the line.
"This suggests that although people are motivated to act in accordance with their moral
convictions, the salience of economic rewards can motivate them to consider their own and
others resources needs," Bastian, Zhang, and Moffit write, "thereby, reducing the influence of
their moral convictions in resource decision making."
Mining activities are not new and indeed may have started in Neolithic (Chalcolithic)
times to obtain the first metals for tool fabrication (Reardon 2011). In the Classic Greece and in
the Roman Empire, many mines were exploited for production of iron, lead, copper, gold, and
other metals. Many of those old mines are still known, and some have been operated over several
centuries or were rediscovered (Fernandez‐Lozano et al. 2015). With time, mining have
expanded and increasing amounts of fossil fuels (e.g. coal) and metals (e.g. iron) were extracted
in quantities generally commensurate with man power available and thus with human population
over the centuries. With technological developments, especially with explosives and machinery,
mining could expand further on the 19th century and sky rocketed during the 20th century (EB,
2017). In the last quarter of the 20th century, new and harsh environments, such as ice‐covered
regions and the deep-sea floor, started to be mined for oil, natural gas, and metals. This trend will
continue and new frontiers might be trespassed soon.
The comparative importance of mining and contribution to the world Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) during the last century shows an increase by a factor of 27 in ores and minerals
production, and by a factor of 8 in total materials extraction, while GDP raised 23‐fold (Fig. 1).
A clear first role of mining in the global average economic growth is highlighted in this
assessment (UNEP, 2011).
Global material extraction in billion tons and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, in
the period 1900‐2005 (Reproduced from UNEP, 2011).
Mining activities are very diverse and may have different ecological footprints. Past
mining activities left such imprints in the environment, but two issues in particular are of major
and worldwide importance: mine tailings and acid mine drainage. Tailings in general are
voluminous and contain toxic elements that may be released and introduced in the biogeosphere
(Nordstrom 2011; Jain et al. 2016). Acid mine drainage often results from exposure of rock
minerals and ore deposits to water and oxygen facilitating the mobilization of chemical elements
and increasing their concentrations in waters and food chains, with detrimental effects on
ecosystems’ health and human health (Carvalho et al. 2007, 2016 a, b; Hudson‐Edwards et al.
2011; Nordstrom 2011). This mining legacy was accumulated over centuries but only in the last
quarter of the 20th century its environmental and human health impacts were finally recognized.
Since then, there has been a significant development of legislation for environmental and
sanitary protection, and some actions were started to deal with industrial legacy through clean
up, remediation, and rehabilitation projects. These remediation actions started in USA with the
Superfund project in 1980 and so far have been implemented mainly in North America and West
Europe (Mudroch et al. 2002; EPA, 2017).
MACRO ASIA
- We are confident that our mining practice indeed followed environmental rules and
regulations thus, not violating any of the environmental laws present. Let’s us look on the
positive side and opportunities that our company gives to the Filipino people.
- Palawan is indeed a bulk of natural resource. Everything in its perimeter is fruitful and
full of grace. Our mining project promises numerous benefits and advantages that lead to more
- Philippines is indeed rich in mineral resources that needed to be engaged into. Our
international mining corporation strictly follows the nation’s environmental laws and regulations
GOVERNMENT
- Truly, mining is indeed a great investment, and Palawan is the land wherein mining
projects have a great future. Every corporation that showed their interest in putting up their
mining projects in Palawan had been tested and well-oriented about the rules, regulations, and
laws they need to prioritize. Regards to this, we assure the people in Palawan that these mining
corporations and projects doesn’t pose threats and risks to our fellow people and to Palawan
itself, and if there are any of the violations proved by any of the mining corporations, we promise
Benefits of mining include supply of raw materials needed for construction of roads and
income; and foreign exchange for the mining country. Mined substances are used to build houses
and make computers and satellites. Electricity is also generated from mined materials.Well-
structured mining engages with the locals and provides them with jobs, raising the living
standards of the community. Revenues generated from mining activities help in developing
facilities, such as schools, hospitals and other social amenities. These activities promote business
enterprise in the mining regions. For instance, they promote growth in rental houses to provide
accommodation for miners. Growth in businesses, such as hotels, is expected to cater to worker
needs. Mining resources are important foreign exchange earners and contribute significantly to
Mining is a source of mineral resources important for maintaining and upgrading living
substances from the earth. Materials acquired through mining include metals, limestone, rock
salt, gemstone, coal, oil, gravel, gold and clay. Mining is intended to obtain resources that cannot
mining is a long way off from being the most productive and most strict government mandates
that exists today. Obviously these regulations differ between nations, with some countries more
advanced in terms of their legislation than others, however the need for improvement is always
ways, which not only disrupts its natural decaying process, but also does more damage long-term
than natural erosion processes. With exorbitant numbers of materials excavated and used daily, it
is important to see that this destruction is actually going towards productive use.
Case studies from mines around the world have provided numerous success stories of
corporations and private mines alike being able to build new construction and infrastructure from
the reusable materials that a mine site presents. For example, aluminum can be substituted as a
recyclable material rather than using bauxite ore, which is a rarer and less reusable item.
Closing and reclaiming sites of shut-down mines - The main objective in the reclaiming
process is to return the sire and the land which surrounds it back to reusable standards, ensuring
that any landforms and structures are stable, and why watercourses need to be evaluated in order
Investing in research and development of Green Mining Technology - The mining industry is
one that is always in need of proper research and development in order to make sure the industry
to ever-changing with today’s commitment to sustainability and turning the world into a more
“green friendly’ place. Through either state of federal agencies, collecting funding and allowing
that funding to be dispersed into ROD funds for Green Mining can be one way to positively
impact the environment before and after mining projects. By pushing the envelope and never
letting the future slip too far from reach, staying ahead can prevent unnecessary waste in the
sense of less reusable materials, better efficiency and a better understood industry.
replenishing mine sites and mine environments is one of the key factors to not only earning the
respect and cooperation of those living near the mine, but will ultimately protect the mine’s
impact on the environment. Simple solutions like replenishing native soils and grasses, cleaning
excess waste, proper waste removal, site inspections and replanting trees and natural forestry can
rejuvenate a long-term ecosystem repair and sustain the environment for years beyond when the
mine is no longer operating. The entire reclamation process should include: removing hazardous
materials, reshaping land, restoring topsoil, and planting native grasses, trees or ground cover
monitoring the standard mining supply chain, mining industry giants will be forced to confront
the ways in which a company can improve its efficiency by seeing exactly where the
organization is lacking in terms of sustainability and green mining initiatives. This supervision of
the manufacturing process is essential in order to develop new ways of thinking, new metrics,
"SEC. 16 Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. -The governance, implementation and
policy direction of the Strategic Environmental Plan shall be exercised by the herein created
Palawan Council FOR Sustainable Development (PCSD), hereinafter referred to as the Council,
which shalbe under the Office of the President. It shall be composed of the Members of the
House of the Representatives representing the province of Palawan, the Deputy Director
Environment and Natural Resources, the Undersecretary fo Special Concerns of the Department
of Agriculture, the Governor of Palawan, the Mayor of Puerto Princesa City, th President of
Mayor's League of Palawan, the President of the Provincial Chapter of the Liga ng mga
barangay, the Executive Director of the Palawan council for Sustainable Development Staff as
provided in Section 20 of this act, and such other members from the public or private sectors as
METHODOLOGY
The following method or strategy was used by the researchers to address the scientific
problem:
Using the secondary research procedure, the researchers use the secondary data from
several online resources for data gathering. The researchers base their findings from previous
studies and reanalyzed it. They also collects the data from credible case study and websites that
conducted similar concern of the topic regarding the mining, the economy and the environment.
CHAPTER IV
paper, the major stockholders of mining in Palawan are: Macro Asia, Rio Tuba Nickel Mining
environment?
Some of the advantage of mining is through economy, as the source of raw materials for
building and construction, and manufactured goods such as metals for tools and equipment for
industrial used. It also helps increase the GDP in a country, increased job opportunity, and
standard living of the community involved. As what Collins studies found, "the comparative
importance of mining and contribution to the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the
last century shows an increase by a factor of 27 in ores and minerals production, and by a factor
of 8 in total materials extraction, while GDP raised 23‐fold (Fig. 1). A clear first role of mining
in the global average economic growth is highlighted in this assessment (UNEP, 2011)."
Global material extraction in billion tons and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, in
the period 1900‐2005 (Reproduced from UNEP, 2011).
3. What are the factors that led the society to choose mining through economy over
environment?
According to the findings in study of Nathan Collins although people are motivated to act
in accordance with their moral convictions, the salience of economic rewards can motivate them
to consider their own and others resources needs. Life is very hard for many palaweños, when it
comes to money, they would accept it blindly despiye knowing mining would damage the
environment.
In the said studies, they conducted a research, took a surveys, analyzing each data and came into
conclusions that "Moral qualms about minning simply didn't matter as much to people when
there was money on the line." Both morals and money contribute to the people's decisions,
including environmental ones.
Conclusions
1. There are four major stockholders of mining in Palawan, and they are the Macro Asia,
Riotuba Nickel Mining Corporations, London-based Toledo Mining Corporation and the
government.
2. There are advantages and disadvantages in mining when it comes to the people, the
environment and economy. Mining can be good for economy since it provides raw materials for
construction, manufacturers, and production of labor. It increases the GDP of the country,
increases job rates, as well as the standard living of the people. But it can also be negative for
the environment as well as the health of the people in the vicinity of mining operation. Mining
can destroy the environment like soil, air, and bodies of water such as rivers and ocean when
3. There are different factors that lead the people to keep choosing mining over environment
especially when there's money involved. Life is hard for many Palaweños, and money is one of
the greatest factors that led to execution of even illegal mining especially to places that has less
4. There is significant relationship between the economy and environment when it comes to
mining. In the studies found of Nathan Collins, it arrived to conclusions that "Moral qualms
about minning simply didn't matter as much to people when there was money on the line." In
other word the economy. Both morals and money contribute to the people's decisions, including
environmental ones. Despite the progress, people can't just disregard the environment, beacuse
in the end, what you do in your environment will be given back to you.
Recommendations
The mining program should increase interaction with other NIOSH programs, including
the Respiratory Disease Program, and individual programs within the Division of Safety
Research and the Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies.
industrial hygiene experience should work together as a research team to help address
The mining program should stay aware of pertinent current and emerging research,
including international research, and be prepared to act on potential health and safety
issues.
A. Online resources
Mining not biggest environmental issue anymore in Palawan – PNNI's Exec. (2017,
February 06). Retrieved from https://palawan-news.com/mining-not-biggest-
environmental-issue-anymore-palawan-pnnis-exec/
Blanco, N., & K. (2011, April 14). Krusada: Mining in Palawan. Retrieved from
https://news.abs-cbn.com/current-affairs-programs/04/13/11/krusada-mining-palawan
Mining and its Effects on the Environment. (2011, March 22). Retrieved from
https://palawan.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/mining-and-its-effects-on-the-environment/
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Course: BSCE
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Course: BSCE
Name: Andrew Silang
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Course: BSCE
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Course: BSCE