Mining industry wants new government policy to come out soon

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje maintained that government would push for responsible mining, increased government share in mining revenues, and the reign of national laws over local laws.

Mining industry leaders are hoping that the government’s mining policy will come out “soon” to resolve many pending issues, according to the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines.

“There are many outstanding issues and we hope there will be positive movements when it does come out,” Artemio Disini, the chamber’s chairman, said in a phone interview.

They particularly want “movements” regarding the current moratorium on the processing of applications for new mining permits, environmental compliance certificates, and tree-cutting permits for clearing areas to be explored and developed.

However, executives of private mining firms seemed reluctant to comment on the pending policy statement and directives of President Benigno Aquino, noting various drafts and several announced “deadlines.”

“Let’s just wait for the EO (executive order),” Cris G. Acosta, president of Filminera Resources Corp., said in a text message.

Earlier, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Leo Jasareno said he expected the core content of the policy to be not much different from issues raised and addressed in consultation talks.

Jasareno said that upon the President’s signing of the EO, the implementing rules and regulations should come out in 30 days.

Nat’l laws prevail

Once the EO is out, the MGB will consider the timing for the lifting of a moratorium on various permits.

Earlier this month, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the EO might be released “in the next few days” following President Aquino’s return from his trips to the United Kingdom and the United States.

Paje maintained that government would push for responsible mining, increased government share in mining revenues, and the reign of national laws over local laws.

The government is considering options for a greater revenue share in mining, including the declaration of all mining areas as mineral reservations and implementing a “50-50” revenue-sharing scheme with mining firms.

The Philippines aims to attract $2.27 billion in mining investments this year, but it may revise its target by the third quarter if the long-awaited mining policy has not come out by then, according to government officials.