BUTUAN CITY – The presence of major mining companies in the Caraga Region has generated an estimated 20,000 jobs and millions of pesos of tax revenues to the local coffers.

In full support to the government’s employment and income generation, these big mining companies also programmed several social projects such as livelihood and education projects aimed at helping the far-flung villages in the region, it was also learned.

Statistical records gathered from the Mines-Geo Sciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and Department of Energy (DoE) stated that eight of these major mining corporations have contributed to the government’s economic and development program in Mindanao, particularly in the Caraga Region.

The mining corporations involved in uplifting the economic condition in the countryside are: The Philsaga Mining Corporation in Agusan del Sur; the SRMI Metals in Agusan del Norte; the Taganito Mining; Platinum Group; and Oriental Synergy Mining, both in Surigao del Norte; and CTP Construction and Mining Corporation; Benguet Mining Corporation; and Carrascal Nickel Corporation (CNC), all in Surigao del Sur.

Philsaga Mining Corporation has already invested various projects such as education, water and road system, livelihood, tree plantation, farm production and health program to villagers in Agusan del Sur, the government agencies said.

The MGB report said Caraga holds the country’s largest gold deposits, nickel, silver, chromite, manganese, copper and other mineral resources.

In coal mining alone, DoE reported that a potential 6,000 hectares of coal mining area is in San Agustin and Lianga towns, while another 4,000 hectares are in the municipalities of Tandag and Tago, all in Surigao del Sur.