Lutopan Toledo City's Ravishing Man-Made Wonder

 Hello Steemians!

 So, this is it!

My first official post here on @steemit. I'm gonna share to you my quick visit to the controversial and fascinating mining pit in Toledo City, Cebu Philippines. Of course, with my travel buddy (ABC).

Actually, it's my 5th visit in Biga Pit since the area is just 15 minutes away from home. And as for ABC, it's his 1st time there. We visited there last holiday, specifically last February 16, 2018 (Chinese New Year) primarily to take photos for my steemit introduction post. Also, to satisfy ABCs eagerness to visit this very controversial man-made lake.

Trees dot the slopes of the mining pit which provides a very refreshing contrast to the barren mine-affected areas. 

Let me share to you a little overview about this very controversial man-made wonder... 

BIGA PIT

 -is one of the three open mining pits at the Toledo copper mine. Covering 1,674 hectares located in the west-central highland in the Island of Cebu, currently the biggest copper mine and leading base metal exporter in the country-the Carmen Copper Corporation's Toledo Mine. 

Carmen and Lutopan are the other two open pit mines. Only Carmen Pit is active producing an ore of 42,000 dry metric tons (DMT) of copper ore daily, since operations at Lutopan Pit have been suspended and are expected to resume in 2021. 

Biga Pit on the other hand, serves as the mill tailings storage facility (TSF) with an estimated operating life of 11 years. In which it continues to prove as a strong, safe and secure facility for the mine. According to the website of Carmen Copper Corporation, the water at Biga Pit has a PH level of 7.5 to 8 which is within the normal range for surface water in which fish species like tilapia thriving in it. 

Photo was taken during my first visit at Biga Pit.

How to get there? 

There are two routes that can take you to Biga Pit. 

First is via Uling, Naga Road: 

From Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT), you can ride a bus that can take you to Lutopan Toledo City also known as Barangay Don Andres Soriano (fare is Php 50 and travel time is 90 minutes). From there, ride a motorcycle (habal-habal) to take you directly to Biga Pit (fare is Php 80 to 100 per person and per way, estimated travel time is 30 minutes). 

Second is via Manipis Talisay Road: 

From Taboan Public Market, take a jeepney ride that can take you to Tabunok Talisay City overpass (fare is Php 10). From there, take a short walk to Ahl Richie &Ahl Rose Bakeshop. And hop on a motorcycle (habal-habal) ride to take you directly to Biga Pit (fare is Php 100 per person and per way, travel time is 50 minutes). Most of the habal-habal drivers’ didn't know where Biga Pit is, unless you mention DAMPINGAN. Though this route can take you to Biga Pit with lesser travel time and fare expense compared to the first route I mentioned, I would like also to remind you that Manipis Road is a little bit creepy and risky especially during rainy season since it is landslide prone area.

Note: Carmen Copper Corporation will not allow guests (for adventure and recreation) from visiting Biga Pit except for those who have connections to the top positions inside and authorized educational tour (I mean if you will pass through CCC entrance). That is why I'm providing here the simplest and easiest mean that will take you to Biga Pit. Also, it's the vantage point where Biga Pit definitely looks breathtakingly beautiful and perfect for your social media-worthy selfies. 

The only flower we saw around the barren. Very attractive!  

Other than being captivated by the view at Biga Pit, there aren't a lot of things to do there. I suggest that you just make it a part of your Naga City and Minglanilla trip. 

And Oh! Please don't miss to drop by at this eye-opening and relaxing man-made forest. I'll tell you more about this on my next blog.

A Relaxing Breakaway from the Blistering City Heat at Camp7 Minglanilla Man-made Forest also known as the Little Baguio of Minglanilla.

Place to visit at Naga and Minglanilla Cebu that you could also include in your itinerary: 

1. Mt. Naupa Naga City
2. The Seven Caves in Campo Siete or the White Cave
3. Malingin Waterfalls Campo Siete

The spectacular rock formations and quartz crystals at White Cave Campo Siete, Minglanilla Cebu

Text References:

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/feature/2017/07/01/cebu-firm-transforms-mining-pit-attraction-549957

http://www.everythingcebu.com/lifestyle/business/carmen-copper-corporation/

http://www.atlasmining.com.ph/about-us/carmen-copper-corporation

Fellow steemians, you reading this is PRICELESS!!! Thank you.

Xoxo,

@abchro