Manahan is a relatively small remote island that hosts old-growth forest and is home to endemic and threatened species of plants and animals, including an endangered species of parrot that is only found in that region (endemic species). The forest is also the origin of one of the village's water sources, and a small river that has been a site of local recreation and an annual festival. The ocean surrounding the island is home to well-preserved, colorful coral reefs that shelter a wide variety of fish, sea turtles, and other marine life. For many generations, the primary livelihood of the local people has been farming and fishing. The island is also rich in mineral resources and has attracted large-scale mining companies since the 1980s. The majority of the minerals are exported abroad.

One of the large mining corporations on the island is Ramira Mineral Resources (RMR). Following complaints from the local community from Gantua Village, which reported large-scale strip mining on their community lands, in July 2024 the local environment agency conducted an assessment of RMR’s mining activities. It determined that the company had conducted mining activities beyond the boundaries of its permit, and had encroached and disturbed 20 hectares of land that fell within the Gantua Village boundary. Mining activities in the area ceased following public demonstrations by community members.

There has been no field-based assessment of the harm caused by the mining, and the mine has not granted local community members access to the harmed site. However, direct observations and aerial photographs clearly demonstrate large-scale strip mining, with deforestation and soil disturbance clearly evident. This extends to sites that are immediately adjacent to local infrastructure, including homes and a school. Several local residents report thick clouds of mine dust settling over their houses and schools during dry seasons and causing respiratory issues, and mining runoff into the local water source. There is no available information about whether minerals were extracted from this harmed area during its operation or, consequently, how much revenue RMR generated from activities in the area. Nevertheless, the mining activities caused substantial harm to the local ecosystem.