The government plans to pursue long-term and stable environmental policies focusing on the country’s proper utilization of mineral deposits and responsible mining, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said.
MGB Director Wilfredo Moncano, n his opening speech during a three-day international conference, said the Philippines must strictly implement responsible mining and that projects should be technically feasible, environmentally compliant, socially acceptable and financially viable.
“Any of these imperatives absent, it is not the time to mine. Our President Rodrigo Duterte is serious in having all hands onboard so that the mining industry can productively contribute in the total effort of seeing the country march to meaning progress and development,” Moncano said.
The MGB said the government would focus on policies on minerals and metals-led industrialization initiatives, streamlining mining application procedures, inter-agency coordination of regulatory agencies in mining projects, strong community relations programs and final land use options of mineral lands.
The government will also ensure continued availability and security of materials and commodities and minimize risks to the economic growth by planning and establishing a robust mine-to-metal value chain, revisit regulatory and compliance policies and conduct an inventory and further exploration studies of the various natural resources in the country.
These include magnetite sand deposits, coal, limestone, nickel and chromite.
To encourage more investors, the MGB will clarify its policy issuances, cut down the list of requirements and documents and institutionalize the mining application process.
The MGB will also closely coordinate with other regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Management Bureau, Biodiversity Management Bureau and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in the approval of mining projects.
The bureau said the government would address legitimate concerns, provide proper information, share perspectives of development options and ensure that mining host communities were involved in the decision-making and environmental protection and enhancement programs.
The MGB will continue to generate and share geologic and mineral resource information with the industry and that geohazard, groundwater resources, geology and mineral potential activities will be continuously undertaken.
