Mining industry does not need new laws, only proper implementation

by Madelaine B. Miraflor August 24, 2016

http://www.mb.com.ph/mining-industry-does-not-need-new-laws-only-proper-implementation/

The government was told that the struggling mining industry does need new laws to prosper in contrast with the previous pronouncements of Environment Chief Gina Lopez that the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 is “grossly unfair” and needs to be amended immediately.

Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) President Benjamin Romualdez said mining industry “does not need new laws, only proper implementation”.

 “What is needed is strict and fair enforcement of a stable policy regime that promotes long-term stewardship of our environment and natural resources,” Romualdez said during the Mining Philippines International Conference and Exhibition being held in Pasay.

Mike Toledo, Philex Mining Corp. Senior Vice President for Public and Regulatory Affairs, earlier described the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 as one of the “best crafted mining laws in the world.”

He said the mining industry could flourish if only its provisions in the act will be properly implemented and followed.

Since taking over, Lopez has always been saying that the mining act needs to be amended, specifying that it should be overhauled in a way that it would no longer allow open-pit mining.

Passed into law in 1995, the Philippine Mining Act is the main legislation that governs all mining operations in the country. It includes measures to protect the environment and defines areas in which mining should be allowed.

Still unsure of what kind of amendments in the mining law she wants to push for, Lopez said firmly that aside from the pending revenue-sharing bill, which would give the government a higher mining revenue share, she would definitely work towards the ban of open-pit mining in the country.

The country’s mining law currently allows open-pit mining but Lopez is confident that she can turn the table around. Some time in 2010, Costa Rica became the first country in Latin America to ban open-pit metal mining.

“I am not in favor of open-pit mining. It wrecks havoc in our islands.  The mining law MUST be revised. It is grossly unfair!” Lopez said in an earlier text message.

Some of the companies in the country that employ the open-pit mining method are Semirara, Oceana Gold, and Atlas Mining.

In 2010, the US$5.9-billion gold-copper Tampakan project in Mindanao has also been put on hold after the local government unit (LGU) of South Cotabato banned open-pit mining in the province.

On Wednesday, Romualdez, who also serves as the president of BenguetCorp., formally opened the annual Philippine Mining Conference being held now in Pasay.

In contrast with what President Rodrigo Duterte said before, he said in his speech that mining industry is “a sunrise industry” given that there are billions worth of projects just waiting for approval.

“[During the conference] We hope to come up with the beginnings of a mining industry roadmap that can guide us – both industry and government – in achieving our full potential,” Romualdez said. “With everything in flux, this year’s conference promises to be a dynamic one.”

Duterte was invited as a keynote speaker in the conference but he was not able to make it.

In his speech delivered by Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) director Mario Luis Jacinto, Duterte said the government will “be unforgiving to those who commit irregularities and corrupt practices” in the mining sector.

“We will pursue MGB’s mandate for the conservation, development, and proper use of the country’s mineral resources…. Proactive measures to prevent abuses of mining will be instituted. We must know what we have, where it goes, and how it benefits the people, the community, and the country,” Duterte said.