www.ferro-alloys.com:Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez said on Thursday that the DENR has cancelled the environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) of three mining projects including Ipilan Nickel Project of Ipilan Nickel Corp., Nickel Deposit Mining Project of Lebach Mining Corp., and the Lupon Mining Project of Core Mining Corp.

“[These mining firms] were supposed to take care of the area where they mine but they did not do it,” Lopez said.

DENR Undersecretary for Legal Ipat Luna pointed out that ECCs are planning tool that can be cancelled and changed.

The DENR also denied the ECC application of prospective gold miner Egerto Mining.

The agency is currently reviewing all ECCs granted by previous administrations.

Lopez noted that the cancellations of ECCs is still different from the result of the nationwide audit on mining companies wherein 10 companies have been recommended for suspension.

“We will announce the decision in January, probably around the second week,” Lopez told reporters.

As of now, the DENR is still reviewing the ECC of undeveloped $5.9 billion Tampakan gold-copper mine and the expansion of Semirara Mining and Power Corp., the country’s largest coal producer.

• [Editor:Licaixia]