Ilocos Sur bans black sand mining

VIGAN CITY, Philippines  â€“  Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson yesterday declared a total ban on black sand mining.

Singson’s declaration came after agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) dismantled two black sand mining sites in Caoayan and San Vicente towns.

NBI agents, backed up by the local police, destroyed mining equipment and facilities in Barangay Caparacadan in Caoayan on Aug. 4 and Nagtupacan in San Vicente on Aug. 5 and 6.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima inspected the mining sites on Saturday and ordered the filing of charges against 16 Chinese nationals.