According to the MGB, up to 80 percent of the Philippines is landslide prone, making the country the fourth most exposed to landslide risk after Indonesia, India and China.
At the same time, the country is also among the richest in mineral resources, making for a particularly deadly mix.
There are between 200,000 and 300,000 small-scale miners nationwide, Jasareno says.
"Sixty to 80 percent of them don't have permits. They're not regulated and they don't follow rules," he said, noting that many small-scale miners are also using heavy equipment.
"Their operations certainly add pressure to the soil," the official added.
According to the World Bank, an estimated 20 million men, women and children worldwide from over 50 developing countries are engaged in artisanal and small-scale mining, while a further 100 million depend on it for their livelihoods.
These numbers are growing in line with higher prices and demand for minerals both in developed countries and emerging economies such as China and India.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=94629
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