DENR TO CLOSE 21 FIRMS

Mines in the Philippines have generated P179.7 billion worth of raw ore and goods in 2015 and P75.9 billion as of the third quarter of 2016; sector contributes less than one percent to GDP, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will close at least 21 mining companies in the country.

In a press conference, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez announced that the agency had decided to stop the operations of about 21 mining firms because of “indiscriminate” mining.

“You are killing the mountain. What is it all about? What are you doing to our country?” Secretary Lopez said.

“I’m not against the mining industry but I am against suffering. It is not right that people make a lot of money to the detriment of the community. It’s not right. It’s against the mining law, it’s against the Constitution.”

In Zambales, Lopez said the mining companies facing closure were Benguet Corp Nickel Mines, Ermane Minerals, LNL Mining, and Zambales Diversified Metals.

Mt. Sinai Mining Exploration and Development Corp., Emir Minerals Corp., and Techiron Mineral Resources would also have to stop operations in Homonhon, Eastern Samar.

In Dinagat Islands, AAMPHIL Natural Resources Exploration, Krominco, Oriental Vision Mining Philippines, Libjo Mining, Sinosteel Philippines HY Mining, Wellex Mining, and Oriental Synergy Mining were ordered to stop mining operations.

Adnama Mining Resources, Claver Mineral Development, Platinum Group Metals, Hinat- uan Mining, CTP Construction and Mining, Carrascal Nickel, and Marcventures Development located in Surigao del Norte will also be closed.

Lopez announced that the DENR suspended the mining operations of OceanaGold Phils (Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya), Lepanto Consolidated Mining (Mankayan, Benguet), Citinickel Mines and Development (Narra and Española, Palawan), Berong Nickel (Quezon, Palawan), and Ore Asia Mining and Development (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan).

President Rodrigo Duterte supported her decision.

“I support her and there was never a time that I called her to slow down a little bit because at hand is the strict implementation of the mining laws,” Duterte said in a speech in Davao City.

“She’s so passionate not about the mining laws but about the little men tilling the land. She’s insisting on the closure of the mining firms. I support her.”