Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga urged the mining industry to innovate the way it develops the country’s natural resources and align with the principles of sustainability, stewardship and resilience.
“Our nation is at a pivotal juncture where the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection has never been more pressing. And while climate change has increased the complexity of risk across different scales and sectors, it also now represents opportunities for reform in this particular sector and industry,” the DENR chief said during a mining forum held in Makati City last week.
Loyzaga said the Philippines must leverage its natural wealth responsibly and equitably and ensure that the socio-economic benefits of mining extend to all Filipinos, especially to the communities that host mining operations and those beyond.
Sweden acknowledged during the forum it organized with the Chamber of Mines in the Philippines that the Southeast Asian country is endowed with rich mineral resources with a combined value of between $0.4 trillion to 1 trillion.
Critical minerals that are vital to the manufacture of chip-driven gadgets and electric vehicle batteries such as gold, copper and nickel are among the Philippines’ leading mineral exports providing the country with a unique opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable mining.
Loyzaga said the forum is an important platform for collaboration crucial to advancing Philippine Development Goals and international commitments to the Paris Agreement, Convention on Biodiversity, Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, among others.
“This all involves investing in science and technology and in integrating social and ecological considerations into our mining operations, promoting biodiversity as well, reducing carbon footprints, and implementing effective waste management practices. These must not just be part of our regulatory requirements but must now become essential elements of a progressive and responsible mining sector,” she said.
She stressed that biodiversity protection, low carbon development and the implementation of the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) are critical areas for the green transition of the mining industry.
To protect biodiversity, DENR Administrative Order No. 2022-04 mandates comprehensive guidelines to protect and conserve biodiversity in mining operations by emphasizing the integration of biodiversity management plans into mining practices to ensure conservation.
The order reflects the DENR’s commitment to ensuring that this is not just a regulatory requirement but a fundamental component of mining operations.
To transition to a low carbon future, the DENR is directing its policies towards the adoption of low-carbon technologies and practices and nature-based solutions in mining operations.
Beyond enhancing energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy, it will include a more strategic mining forest program to address climate risks in the country.
As of May 2024, over 55 million seedlings have been planted by mining companies in over 50,000 mined-out areas with a survival rate of close to 90 percent. The trees can decrease the vulnerability of host and nearby communities. DENR News
