The government suspended the ore transport permit of Ore Asia Mining and Development Corp. in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan after it failed to secure ISO certification, an environment official said Monday.
“It was suspended because of failure to get the ISO certification,” said Environment undersecretary and former Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Leo Jasareno.
Ore Asia, which has a quarrying operation in a 442-hectare area in Doña Remedios, produces around 60,000 metric tons of iron ore annually. Jasareno said Ore Asia was the only iron producing miner in the country.
Jasareno said under a memorandum order issued by the Environment Department, the regional director of MGB should withdraw all ore transport permit given to a mine that failed to get ISO certification.
He said Ore Asia’s environmental compliance certificate would also be suspended.
The Environment Department earlier issued an order which required all holders of mineral agreements and financial and technical assistance agreements in metallic operations to secure International Standards Organization 14001-Environmental Management Systems certification.
Failure to secure the certification will lead to the suspension of the company’s environmental compliance certificate. Companies will also not be issued ore transport permit.
“There were also complaints of siltation in the river. Its a tributary of a river that comes from the Sibol spring,” Jasareno said.
The government earlier suspended the operations of four mining companies in Zambales due to environmental violations. It also suspended the operations of two mining companies in Palawan.
Jasareno said the government was currently auditing the mining operations of Philex Mining Corp., Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, Atlas Consolidated Mining and Ocenagold Philippines.
“We have to clarify that the findings of the audit team will not be the final report. The report will have to be processed then reviewed to see to it that not only the technical but also social aspect and participation of the community is included,” Jasareno said.
Environment Secretary Regina Lopez said the government would also suspend the operations of small-scale miners found violating the laws.
There are about 300,000 to 400,000 small-scale miners in the country who account for about 40 percent of the country’s total gold production.
“We don’t need gold to live. Gold is not an essential thing for survival. What you need is clean air and water,” Lopez said.