Dureza: Compliant mining firms won’t have problems with Gina Lopez

Compliant mining firms should have no problems if Gina Lopez assumes her post as secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, another member of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's future Cabinet said Wednesday.

 

News of the impending appointment Lopez, a staunch anti-mining advocate, caused mining stocks to plunge by 4.09 percent at the end of Tuesday's trading, a day after Duterte offered her the post.

 

"It definitely shocked the mining industry," said incoming peace adviser Jesus Dureza in a television interview.

 

"We just have to abide by it. Big mining companies that are compliant (with environmental regulations) will have no problem with her, those who have shortcuts will have a problem with her because she is very strict in environmental compliance," he added.

 

Dureza also said he was sure the Philex Mining Corp., which is being run by businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, who figured in a heated debate with Lopez in a mining forum in March 2012, practices responsible mining.

 

"We don't have to worry about that. He (Pangilinan) is very concerned with complying with the laws," Dureza said.

 

After accepting Duterte's offer to become his environment secretary, Lopez reiterated her disgust for mining companies as allegedly feed off from the "suffering of the people."

 

"That's what mining does. It puts our fishermen and farmers at risk and I've seen it. I know it. And I've been there. Is that the kind of economy that you want to build? It's just not right," she said in a television interview on Tuesday.

 

Duterte also spoke against destructive mining, warning firms at a business forum in Davao City to comply with environmental standards or else face the risk of sanctions.

 

Duterte has also called for a comprehensive review of the mining claims and concessions given by the government. —Virgil Lopez/ALG, GMA News