Sangguaniang Bayan of Conner, Apayao takes aim at large scale mining: calls for strict review of applicarions

CONNER, Apayao — The Sangguniang Bayan of Conner is calling on national government agencies to strictly review applications for mineral exploration and large-scale mining in the municipality, citing the need to protect its environment, ancestral domains and communities.

Through a newly filed resolution, the municipal council urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to carefully evaluate proposed mining activities and withhold or deny permits when applications fail to meet legal requirements and environmental and community safeguards.

The resolution was authored by Councilor Ethel Songgadan-Buaga, with Councilors Marino Costales, Lloyd Gannaban, Lotty Agnas-Sison, Justin Begtang, and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Montes Moyaen as co-authors.

The council said its position is not simply against mining as an economic activity but is focused on ensuring that any proposed project complies with environmental and Indigenous Peoples’ laws and does not compromise the municipality’s watersheds, agricultural lands, ancestral domains and communities.

Council eyes local mining safeguards

Alongside the resolution, the municipal council is also considering the Conner Environmental and Community Safeguards Ordinance for Mineral Exploration and Mining Activities of 2026.

The proposed ordinance would establish a Municipal Mining and Environmental Monitoring Committee to provide local oversight of mining-related activities and monitor compliance with environmental safeguards.

The committee would particularly monitor activities that could affect water sources, agricultural lands and communities.

The proposed measure would also impose municipal penalties for unauthorized activities, infrastructure damage and environmental degradation.

It recognizes protections under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (Republic Act No. 8371), including the requirement for Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for projects that affect ancestral domains.

The council said the measures would allow local concerns to be considered alongside the regulatory authority of national government agencies over mineral resources.

Large-scale mining draws community opposition

The council’s move comes amid growing concern over mineral exploration and large-scale mining proposals in Conner and neighboring Kabugao.

A regional media report said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau listed 14 mining applications in Conner as of June 2026, with 11 covering mineral areas within the municipality.

Two applications have drawn particular attention because of their reported coverage. One associated with Copper Fields Mining Corporation reportedly covers about 1,944 hectares, while another linked to Greenwater Mining Corporation reportedly covers around 14,256 hectares.

Residents and Indigenous communities have raised concerns over the possible effects of mining on farms, forests, water sources and ancestral lands.

In July, residents, Indigenous farmers, church workers and community organizations formed the Ummong ti Umili ti Conner Kontra iti Daddakkel a Minas, or People’s Coalition of Conner Against Large-Scale Mining, to oppose large-scale mining proposals in the municipality.

The coalition cited possible risks including deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination, loss of agricultural areas and displacement of Indigenous communities.

Kabugao also opposes large-scale mining

Conner’s action follows a similar move by neighboring Kabugao.

On August 24, the Sangguniang Bayan of Kabugao unanimously approved Resolution No. 75, Series of 2026, opposing large-scale mining in the municipality after four barangays—Badduat, Lenneng, Luttuacan and Waga—passed their own resolutions against such activities.

The Kabugao council cited potential impacts on agriculture, fisheries, water resources, biodiversity, ecotourism, health and community safety.

Indigenous rights remain key issue

The possible impact of exploration activities on ancestral domains is also a major concern.

In August, the NCIP began a Field-Based Investigation concerning the OceanaGold-Copper Fields Manag Project in Conner, including an exploration application covering portions of the Barren Ancestral Domain.

The development prompted community opposition and calls for Indigenous communities to be properly informed and consulted before projects affecting their ancestral lands proceed.

Under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, the FPIC process is an important safeguard for Indigenous communities affected by development projects in ancestral domains.

At the same time, an exploration permit does not automatically authorize commercial mining. Exploration allows companies to assess mineral resources and does not by itself permit the commercial extraction of minerals.

Conner seeks closer local oversight

For the Conner municipal council, the issue goes beyond whether mining should be allowed or rejected outright.

Its latest action seeks stricter scrutiny of mining applications, compliance with environmental and Indigenous Peoples’ laws, and stronger local monitoring of activities that could affect the municipality’s natural resources and communities.

The council’s proposed safeguards, together with its appeal for stricter review by national agencies, reflect growing calls in Conner for mining decisions to consider not only mineral resources but also environmental protection, agricultural livelihoods and Indigenous rights.