Miners expect muted growth in 2018 due to permit moratorium

THE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) expects growth in 2018 to be held back by the continued moratorium on permits for new projects, with major miners also suffering from rules violations being committed by small-scale operators.

CoMP Chairman Gerard H. Brimo told reporters on Tuesday after the signing of the Baguio Declaration and the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Responsible Mining (TSM) initiative that while steps have been taken to rehabilitate the industry, issues remain.

“There is no growth until the moratorium on mining permits is lifted. There is no growth so we need to resolve a number of issues in the industry — the ban on open-pit mining, of course, which in reality should have never been implemented,” he added.

Former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez ordered a moratorium on mining permits in July 2016, along with an order to audit all operating mines.

Mr. Brimo also noted that the responsible portion of the mining industry suffers from violations committed by small-scale and illegal miners.

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu himself remarked on irresponsible practices in the Cordillera region by small-scale and illegal miners.

“The Secretary himself pointed it out that if there are accidents or cave- ins that happen close by these illegal activities, most people lump mining together whether it’s small- scale or large- scale — we all get lumped in together,” he added.

“Any accidents caused by them affect our image and that’s really a problem and that’s really the time for the government to try and figure out (which of the operators is mining illegally).” —