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ENVIRONMENTAL CRACKDOWN

DENR proposes to close 20 more mines in light of audit results


At least 20 more mining operations failed to pass an environmental audit by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), compelling the department to recommend that they be shut down.

The mining companies supposedly violated environmental laws by causing siltation and soil erosion, as well as unchecked dust emissions among other violations.

"They have to get their act together," Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said during a press briefing on Tuesday. "I will not allow any mining company to make millions while many people suffer ... That's not acceptable, that's against the law."

Most of the mines are nickel producers operating in Mindanao.

"Nickel mines suspended were responsible for 55.5 percent of nickel production value in 2015," Environment Senior Undersecretary Leo Jasareno said.

The 20 mining companies are the following:

  • Libjo Mining Corp.
  • AAMPHIL Natural Resources Exploration & Development Corp.
  • Kromico Inc.
  • Carrascal Nickel Corp.
  • Marcventures Mining & Development Corp.
  • Filminera Resources Corp. & Philippine Gold Processing & Refining Corp.
  • Strongbuilt Mining and Development Corp.
  • Sinosteel Philippines H.Y. Mining Corp.
  • Oriental Synergy Mining Corp.
  • Wellex Mining Corp.
  • Century Peak Corp.
  • Oriental Vision Mining Philippines Corp.
  • CTP Construction & Mining Corp.
  • Agata Mining Ventures Inc.
  • Hinatuan Mining Corp.
  • Benguet Corp.
  • Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co.
  • OceanaGold Phils. Inc.
  • Adnama Mining Resources Inc.
  • SR Metals Inc.

The miners must now explain within seven days why they should not be suspended.

"They have to justify that the findings of the audit are not true. Kung ma-justify nila ... then ... the department will evaluate and ... render decision whether or not to suspend the operation," Jasareno said.

The DENR earlier suspended 10 mining operations of the following companies under its environmental crackdown since July:

  • BenguetCorp Nickel Mines Inc.
  • LNL Archipelago Minerals Inc.
  • Eramen Minerals Inc.
  • Zambales Diversified Metals Corp.
  • Citinickel
  • Claver Minerals
  • Berong Nickel
  • Ore Asia Mining Development Corp.
  • Mt. Sinai Mining Exploration and Development Corp.
  • Emir Mineral Resources Corp.

11 miners 'passed'

According to the DENR, 11 mining companies passed the environmental audit.

But Jasareno made it clear these miners have infractions that must be corrected:

  • Philex Mining Corp.
  • Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp.
  • Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp.
  • Tech Iron Resources Inc.
  • Apex Mining Co. Inc.
  • Cagdinao Mining Corp.
  • Greenstone Resources Corp.
  • Taganito Mining Corp.
  • Pacific Nickel Phils. Inc.
  • Platinum Group Metals Corp.
  • Philsaga Mining Corp.

"I do not want to break the mining industry. I want to talk with them on how we can help the country," Lopez said, noting she will have a meeting with the mining companies that were audited.

Mining shares on the Philippine Stock Exchange plunged on Tuesday, with the Mining and Oil sub-index losing 266.12 points or 2.44 percent. — VDS, GMA News

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