New policy on mining coming up—Palace

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

President Benigno Aquino III expects his administration to come up with a clear policy on the mining industry by the end of next month.

Mr. Aquino said he has already received a draft of the policy recommendations and that the draft is now being routed to the concerned government agencies to get their respective comments.

“We will come up with very clear policies as regards mining not later than the end of February,” President Aquino said in a forum of business leaders on Thursday afternoon.

President Aquino said he last year tasked members of his Cabinet to review the current policies on mining, the present situation in the industry, policy considerations and recommended changes.

The mining industry is currently beset by issues on environmental degradation, safety of miners and residents in mining communities and the displacement of indigenous peoples.