After a series of inspections, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has allowed the resumption of operations of some mining companies ordered closed by the late agency chief Gina Lopez.
“Only those that have passed through the proper (review), (and) those who have submitted motion for reconsideration with DENR,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said.
“Our technical experts have already conducted an audit and gone to the mining companies that had been suspended by former secretary Lopez,” he added.
He, however, did not identify the mining firms that are about to resume operations due to the ongoing reviews.
According to Cimatu, miners to be allowed to resume are those that have adopted corrective measures of their violations.
“Those that have not yet already complied must still pursue their compliance before we could allow them to open,” he said.
In 2017, Lopez ordered the closure and suspension of the mining activities, following an environmental audit.
In 2018, Cimatu directed a review of the closure and suspension orders of Lopez.
Those suspended were AAMPHIL Natural Resources and Exploration and Development Corp., Carrascal Nickel Corp., Emir Mineral Resources, Krominco Inc., Libjo Mining Corp., Mt. Sinai Exploration and Development Corp., Strong Built Mining Development, Wellex Mining Corp. 1&2, and Zambales Diversified Metals Corp.
The agency affirmed the closure of Claver Mineral Development Corp., Ore Mining and Development Corp. and Oriental Synergy Mining Corp.