An “underground desert” is forming in Malimono, Surigao del Norte, Philippines, due to excessive mining activities.

A non-government group Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA) Marine Monitoring Team has done underwater survey from December 2013 to March 2014 to check how the marine life is in the town. Unfortunately, they have seen how corals and marine life have been drastically affected because of the mining operations held there.

“This is caused by thick silt that covered the sand and corals,” said Joseph B. Nacario, a volunteer of the HIPADA.

“We dived to a depth of 10-15 feet in all 13 coastal barangays and we also found that there are some areas where fish and corals are getting better, and these are under the areas where marine sanctuaries were set up,” he added.

Silt has also affected the marine life in nearby areas.

“People in Barangay Hanagdong were silent when they saw our underwater video and pictures. They were sad of what they saw, thick soil from the mining activity upstream now covering their once rich corals,” he said.

HIPADA suggested that mining activities should stop to ensure that the occurrence will no longer get worse.