PARACALE, Camarines Norte — A proposed gold mining project in this small coastal town is drawing opposition from the Catholic Church, with a bishop warning of serious environmental and social risks.
Bishop Hernan Abcede of the Diocese of Daet raised concerns in an April 24 pastoral statement, urging closer scrutiny of the Paracale Gold Project proposed by Golden River Mining Corporation.
He said the project, presented during a recent consultation in Barangay Tawig, involves open-pit mining, cyanide use in processing, and a tailings dam for mine waste.
Abcede said the proposal promises jobs and income but questioned whether “roughly seven years of profit” could justify damage that may last generations.
Residents warned mountains could be reduced to barren pits, forests cleared, and rivers contaminated, threatening fishing, farming, and access to clean water.
The bishop also cited risks of landslides, groundwater depletion, and long-term health effects, especially among children and future generations exposed to pollution.
“In the face of serious threats to water, environment, health, and the future, we cannot agree to this kind of mining unless it is proven beyond doubt to be safe, just, and truly beneficial for all,” Abcede said in Filipino.
He described mining’s impact as “three wounds”— to nature, to vulnerable communities, and to the moral fabric of society, including potential social and cultural disruption.
“This is a clear issue of social justice: profits go to a few, while damage is borne by many,” Abcede added.
The bishop emphasized Church teaching that environmental protection and human dignity are inseparable, adding that “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are one.”
Abcede urged government officials to prioritize public welfare and listen to affected communities, while challenging the company to prove its project “will not destroy life.”
The statement also called on residents to remain vigilant, participate in consultations, and stand firm in defending their livelihoods and long-term future.
