Gold Mines tour in Baguio

Philippines
October 22, 2012 8:36am CST
hello lotters Have you heard of Balatoc Mines Tour in Baguio? well if not, i'm here to share you my experience in this tour. this tour was conducted by our school when I was in secondary way back 2003. actually the Balatoc mines corp. is situated outside Baguio city about 30 minutes away. it is located in Itogon Benguet. Balatoc mines had been offering since 1997 an exciting opportunity for visitors to become miners a day. The first stop we did is have a little seminar or group discussions regarding the history of the place, a little trivia of golds and some artifacts from inside the earth. we had to cross a big hanging bridge for a 10 person at a time. after the mini seminar we have to wear a pair of water boots and helmet, some of my classmates wear a helmet with built-in flashlight. the entrance of the cave is somewhat creepy-cold and dark. to be able to breath in the deepest part of the tunnel, they have installed a large air blower just to keep the miners ventilated. This is the most unforgettable field trip I had because for one day I have experience the life of being a miner. we have watched how to drill rocks inside the tunnel, how they built a pillars and beams for support of possible collapse, inserting a blasting bomb in the whole of the drilled rock and a bizarre bombing where we have to hide in a safe place. After we reached the end part of the tunnel, we rode a mine cart to transport us to the outside. If you are interested to visit the place it's just near Baguio and the fee is only 250 pesos.
2 people like this
4 responses
HULYO
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
23 Oct 12
I love to visit different mining sites. Being a metallurgist, it's related to my field to study different minerals found in the earth. But lately, around 2 years I shifted to another field. From a metallurgist to a hotelier. Very far I think. When I was here in the Philippines, I work for more than 6 years in a gold processing plant. 2 years ago I work abroad in a 5 star hotel
1 person likes this
HULYO
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
23 Oct 12
Metallurgy study to all metals that can be found in the earth. I was bored already with my job and I need to upgrade myself to another level. I undergo training for a hotel job and I succeed. By the way, I am about to finished my second course of BS Entrepreneurship
1 person likes this
eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
27 Oct 12
Tnx for explsining. May you find your dreams in your chosen career.
eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
23 Oct 12
What is metallurgy? Why did you shift job?
micha5088
@micha5088 (554)
• Malaysia
23 Oct 12
Hello mrsuniega, I had been to Baguio once and it was raining heavily when we went there. So, our visit was rather 'restricted' because of the weather condition. But I did visit the strawberry farm and a few of the old churches and grottoes there. The strawberries were fresh and very cheap. I like it very much. I also bought the strawberry jam. We stayed at a private house that was rented out for tourists. The weather was cold and I was quite intrigued to see the houses there built so close to each other despite its mountainous land. I notice that the foundation for the houses were quite strong and there were many double storey houses. I hope, next time when I have the chance to go there again, I will visit the Balatoc Mines. Thanks for sharing.
mrsuniega
@mrsuniega (786)
• Philippines
23 Oct 12
yes you should visit Balatoc Mines Tour, for me it's my most memorable and most trilling activity so far.
rsa101
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
23 Oct 12
That is pretty interesting that there is this kind of tour there in Baguio. I have been to that place and am not aware of that tour going on. Maybe if I am able to go back for that place I might look for that tour to see it for myself.
mrsuniega
@mrsuniega (786)
• Philippines
23 Oct 12
yes rsa10 it's the most exciting group activity we have done and I thinkthis is recommended for those who really wants to know how miners are.
eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
23 Oct 12
I am apprehensive on going on such a tour, mrsuniega, first, because mining sites are never safe, precisely because of the fact that the earth might collapse on the tunnel. Quite recently, that is the cause of dispute, or alienation of Manny V. Pangilinan and the Ateneo, because the latter is questioning the amount of destruction mining is causing Mother Earth. Second, secondary school students are minors, and minors are prohibited from entering such tunnels, are they not? Surely there is age restriction somewhere. I would go for spelunking anytime, but even if you tell me we are seeing gold, I would never enter a gold mine, nor coal mine, nor ore mine.