Aparri is a municipality in Cagayan province in the Philippines located at the mouth of the Cagayan River. Black sand mining operations in Punta, Aparri operate 24/7 using backhoes, dump trucks, and processing equipment to extract magnetite from the black sand deposits. However, the mining exacerbates flooding and riverbank erosion, reduces fish populations, and spreads dust into nearby homes from the processing equipment. Local groups are concerned about the environmental impacts of the black sand mining.

1. BLACK SAND MINING IN
PUNTA, APARRI, CAGAYAN

2. Aparri is a 1st class
municipality in the province of
Cagayan, Luzon, Philippines.
It incorporates the Fuga
Island of the Babuyan Group
of Islands.
Population: 61,024 (Y2007)
Total Land Area: 286 64 km2
286.64
No. of Barangays: 42
Aparri sits at the mouth of
the Cagayan River, the longest
river in the Philippines.
Aparri is one of the most
famous towns in Cagayan ,
rivaling that of Tuguegarao, the
Capital City, located 55 miles
south of Aparri.

3. Aparri was founded by the Japanese in 1405 as a trading post, developed by the
Spanish as a port for the galleon trade, destination of significant in migrations by
Chinese traders and Ilocano farmers.
In 2006
I 2006, work was started to build a port, after th old pier d t i t d d t th
k t t d t b ild t ft the ld i deteriorated due to the
rising level of water, the common storms, and poor construction (ruins of it are now
seen washed up on the beach). Recent ferry and shipping disasters underline how
important a p Aparri continues to be servicing the islands to the North of Luzon.
p port p g
The valley is one of the largest tobacco-
producing sections in the Philippines.
Philippines
It is famous for its "bulung unas" which
is dried baby eels and the "ludong"
which is the country’s most expensive
fish ranging from 4,000 pesos to 5,000
per piece. It is only caught in the Aparri
delta where the Cagayan River meets
the Babuyan Sea and is only available
in the rainy months of November.

4. The magnetite mining site in Punta does not bear any signage. But the compound
houses four backhoes working 24/7, several dump trucks filled with black sand, mounds
ouses ou bac oes o g / , se e a du p t uc s ed t b ac sa d, ou ds
and mounds of black sand and “reject” as the people call them.

5. Separator machines and a drilling machine shake the houses in the vicinity
when operating. The people cannot open their doors and windows since the
wind will blow the dust inside their homes.

8. Black sand mining exacerbates flooding from the river and the sea and
g g
the fisherfolk report riverbank erosion and reduced fish catch.

12. SILTATION CAUSED BY BLACK SAND MINING

13. The dredgers have suction hoses reaching the bottom of the river and
spewing the “rejects” through another pipe while the barges that have
rejects
earlier been filled continue to load the ships. As soon as the ships are
full, they leave Aparri to ports unknown while the barges stay to fill up.

15. Please also refer to:
http://youtu.be/Jm3MCT9_LJE
CONTACTS:
Mr. Antonio Liquigan
President
Aparrianos Movement for Conservation and
Preservation of the Environment (AMCPE)
c/o Ms. Rosario Fuerte
0905-500-2539