Lazarte Jessa Mae T, Miranda Connie Fern, Apas Ruel S, Auxtero Eulogio S, Atacador Angeline M, Budlayan Marco Laurence M, Calo Ferdinand Michael B, Cumba Rey Marc T, Edilo Gladys, Jusoy Jade C, Latayada Felmer S, Mendoza Ronieto, Pantohan Edmar G, Vales Temmy P, Vergara Mark Vincent, Vergara Joey Arles O
Department of Physics, College of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Caraga State University, Ampayon, Butuan City 8600, Philippines.
Department of Sociology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Caraga State University, Ampayon, Butuan City 8600, Philippines.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Mar 2;22(3):365. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22030365.
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.
本研究考察了一家矿业公司对菲律宾迪纳加特群岛利布霍居民所感知到的健康影响，填补了在理解矿业活动对代表性不足地区居民所感知到的健康影响方面的关键研究空白。采用定性研究方法，通过半结构化访谈来考察采矿作业所感知到的健康影响。开发了访谈工具，以调查矿业公司活动如何影响关键健康决定因素，如水质、卫生设施、收入、就业、基础设施、教育和妇女赋权。该研究在距矿区不同距离的多个地点进行，以进一步调查可能存在的基于距离的差异。研究结果表明，该矿业公司在几个方面产生了积极影响，特别是在收入、就业、基础设施、教育和妇女赋权方面。然而，对于水质和卫生设施的看法不一。大多数受访者，特别是那些靠近矿区的受访者，认为在医疗服务提供方面有显著的积极影响，将其归因于公司的支持举措。尽管有这些积极影响，社区对潜在的负面环境后果表示担忧，如空气污染、水污染、森林砍伐、土地退化和噪音污染。本研究揭示了采矿作业与社区健康之间的复杂关系，强调了平衡经济效益和环境安全的重要性。该研究进一步有助于更深入地理解采矿作业如何影响社区的健康和福祉以及它们可能存在的基于距离的差异。
