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. 2025 Mar 2;22(3):365.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph22030365.

Perceived Health Impacts of Surface Mining: Local Perspectives from the Mining Communities in Libjo, Dinagat Islands, Philippines

Jessa Mae T Lazarte  1 , Connie Fern Miranda  2 , Ruel S Apas  1 , Eulogio S Auxtero Jr  1 , Angeline M Atacador  1 , Marco Laurence M Budlayan  1 , Ferdinand Michael B Calo Jr  1 , Rey Marc T Cumba  1 , Gladys Edilo  1 , Jade C Jusoy  1 , Felmer S Latayada  3 , Ronieto Mendoza  4 , Edmar G Pantohan  1 , Temmy P Vales  3 , Mark Vincent Vergara  5 , Joey Arles O Vergara  1
Affiliations

Perceived Health Impacts of Surface Mining: Local Perspectives from the Mining Communities in Libjo, Dinagat Islands, Philippines

Jessa Mae T Lazarte et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

This study examines the perceived health impacts of a mining company on residents of Libjo, Dinagat Islands, Philippines, addressing a critical research gap in understanding the perceived health impacts of mining activities in underrepresented regions. The perceived health impacts of mining operations were examined using a qualitative research approach, employing semi-structured interviews. The interview instrument was developed to investigate how mining company activities impact key health determinants, such as water quality, sanitation, income, employment, infrastructure, education, and women's empowerment. The study was conducted across multiple sites at different distances from the mining area to further investigate the possible distance-based variations. The findings indicate that the mining company has positively impacted several areas, particularly income, employment, infrastructure, education, and women's empowerment. However, there were mixed perceptions regarding water quality and sanitation. The majority of respondents, particularly those who are near the mining sites, perceived a significant positive impact on health service delivery, attributing it to the company's support initiatives. Despite these positive impacts, the community expressed concerns about potential negative environmental consequences, such as air and water pollution, deforestation, land degradation, and noise pollution. This study reveals the complex relationship between mining operations and community health, emphasizing the importance of balancing economic benefits and environmental safety. The study further contributes to a deeper understanding of how mining operations affect the community's health and well-being and their potential distance-based variations.

Keywords: Libjo; health determinant; health impact; health service delivery; qualitative research; surface mining.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funder had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Portion of the map of the province of Dinagat Islands and the locations of the five host communities relative to the nickel surface mining site in Libjo [24].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Perceived health impacts of nickel surface mining operations across five affected communities in Dinagat Island.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Perceived impacts of mining on population health through several key health determinants.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Impacts of mining on drinking water quality as perceived at various sites.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Impacts of mining on sanitation as perceived at various sites.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Impacts of mining on road networks as perceived at various sites.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Impacts of mining on employment as perceived at various sites.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Impacts of mining on income levels as perceived at various sites.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Impacts of mining on electricity as perceived at various sites.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Impacts of mining on educational institutions as perceived at various sites.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Impacts of mining on women’s empowerment as perceived at various sites.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Perceived impacts of mining on overall health service delivery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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