[ferro-alloys.com]Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has once again reached out to the mining industry to exchange insights on current issues and to jointly come up with effective policy reforms.

During the 5th Meeting on the Mining Policy Direction on October 30, 2018, Cimatu met with the mining industry to come up with ideas on how to improve the people’s perception on mining through environmental rehabilitation work; to make people see the good in the industry; to make method of mining more transparent; and how the industry would help lower the poverty level in the country.

During the meeting, Cimatu challenged the mining industry to show everyone that environment protection and responsible mining can be done simultaneously.

“I challenge you, it can be done.  Show everyone that it is ‘pwede pala.’ I need you to bring up the mining industry,” he said to the miners.

Cimatu also said that he is sad that the country has the resources and mineral wealth that can contribute to our economic improvement, but we can’t utilize it properly, so he sought the help of the miners. He said that despite having distinguished achievements in the military and civil service, his work in the mining sector at the DENR is the most challenging.

 “I treasure most the one in the DENR. I’m challenged in mining; I need your help for the country,” Cimatu told the miners.

Cimatu reiterated that the government understands that there is no law that stops mining, but he needed to suspend mining activities for a while to “save lives.” It can be recalled that the DENR recently suspended quarrying and small-scale mining operations due to the landslide that claimed several lives in Itogon, Benguet and Naga, Cebu.

He also stated that the government is also doing its part in helping the mining industry by lifting the exploration ban and showed interest in the possibility of industrialization through copper mines.

He added that the joint results of the mine audit review conducted by the DENR and the Mining Industry Coordinating Council will really improve the performance of the mining industry, and will be available before the year ends.

During the meeting, Cimatu also expressed his concern over the issue of the five-year delay in the mine rehabilitation programs of some mining companies.

In response, the industry representatives explained that mine rehabilitation is income-based and it gets delayed when metal prices and production are low, resulting in gaps in the production and rehabilitation plans of mining companies.

The mining company representatives also expressed that they are ready to cooperate with the government to turn around the people’s perception on mining. They could start by showing the world that it can be done and that the Philippine copper mines for example, can be opened using state-of-the-art technology. They are just waiting for the government to give them the green light to proceed, since some mineral-rich areas were declared as no-go-zones.

Meanwhile, Engr. Larry Heradez, OIC-Chief, Mining Tenements Management Division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Central Office discussed the fiscal regime for mining industry which includes the TRAIN 2 on mining and Congressman Suansing’s version on the fiscal regime bill.

Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) chairperson Mr. Gerard Brimo afterwards, presented an analysis and a comparative on study on the mining tax of the Philippines to other countries; on the existing fiscal regime for mining, TRAIN 2, original and 2nd Suansing Bill; and stated the COMP’s positions on it.

(Philippine Mines and Geosciences Bureau offical website)

• [Editor:王可]