MGB recommends cancelation of 43 mining rights

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to cancel 43 mining rights for failure to conduct exploration work programs.

"After due process, the 43 MPSAs were recommended for cancelation for failure of the contractors concerned to implement their exploration work programs for two consecutive years and expiration of exploration permits for five years or more," the MGB said in an announcement posted on its website.

Under a mineral production sharing agreement or MPSA, the government has a share in the production of the  mining company granted to conduct mining operations within a contract area.

The recommendation was based on the initial performance review of MGB's Multi-Stakeholder Teams (MST), which was created pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 79 or the Philippines' new mining policy.

EO 79 mandates the review of the performance of existing mining operations for compliance to environmental standards and work program. — Danessa Rivera/KBK, GMA News