Philippine Government Ignored 131 Mine Applicants

Companies who do not have community consent:
Davao City---The Philippine government has rejected at least 131 mine applications since November this 2011 mainly because of the applicant's inability to acquire prior consent from communities where the mining operations will be located, according to mining officer.


        Among the rejected applications were those for mineral production sharing agreements, exploration permits and financial technical assistance agreements, Wilfredo Moncado said, acting chief of Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Mr. Moncado did not identify the companies whose applications were rejected or the specific areas where they want to conduct mining. However the main reason for application rejection was the failure of applicants to secure the consent of indigenous communities where they planned to conduct mining operation.

        Consent from the indigenous communities should come in the form of certifications from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the government body overseeing concerns of indigenous communities. The rejected mining applicants also failure to to secure proof of consultation with local government units that had jurisdiction over the areas where they wanted to mine, Moncado added. Failure of the applicantsto comply with any of the requirements shall be ground for the denial of the mining permit based on the order given by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Moncado told the reporters.

        Of the 131 mining applications, Moncado said only 73 filed for Motion for Reconsideration (MR). For those who did not file an MR, their applications will automatically be removed from the lists. Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Southern Mindanao has forwarded to the MGB Central office some 27 mining applications for approval. Most of the 27 applicants--involving local mining investors--have practically complied with all the necessary requirements. Moncado said the 27 mining applications were for areas in Compostela Valley province.
        The provincial government of Compostela Valley last month said it was working with the DENR to relocate families living in the danger zones in the gold rush area of Mount Diwalwal in Monkayo town. Compostela Valley lawmaker Rep. Maricar Zamora-Apsay said families living in danger zones in the gold rush area are exposed to disasters associated with small-scale mining, example landslides.

        DENR agreed to the relocation plan, alloting an initial of 100 million PHP ($2.27million) to move families   away from high-risk areas and other related projects by the Compostela Valley government, Apsay said. The legislator said relocating families, however, was just a short-term solution to the lack of safe mining practices in Mount Diwalwal.    From PDI Mindanao.

Mining Industry Hindered by Red Tape-Opposition Stiff Action

        The Philippine Government unlikely getting the upgraded target of $2.8 billion mining investment target for this year, particularly in light of ongoing industry concerns that have yet to be addressed.

        Philippines Chamber of Mines president Benjamin Philip Romualdez said more than $ 1 billion in investments for the year was a more feasible figure, given the current industry environment. "The government has to do its part. We can't just keep writing checks. It has to issue permits the mining companies needed,if it wants to get more investment." The Chamber president told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Business Conference.

        The Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau last month hiked its investment target for the year 2011 to $2.8 billion from earlier projected $1.4 billion, in anticipation of the entry of Chinese investors into the industry within the year. Romualdez said, however, that thousands of permits had yet to be issued to mining firms, preventing them from operating in full force and plunking more investment into the country.

        To encourage the entry of more investments, the government should undertake "structural reforms" to correct fundamental errors that give rise to more flaws that cast a bad light on the Philippine mining industry. The fundamental, structural problem in the Philippine government. Some people calling for a review of the economic provisions of the Constitution. What is important is structural review. We cannot just make temporary remedy at the so-called fundamental flaws," he added.

       The ban on open pit mining in most provinces, which run against to the national government's thrust to encourage the inflow of more mining investors, was just one of the many problems that needed to be ironed out as soon as possible of time.

        The Department of Environment and Natural Resources should also speed its issuance of necessary permits to mining operators. While DENR committed to accelerate permit issuance, he said what the industry needed was action rather than mere commitments. The government should also help beef up the security at mining installations, in light of the attacks on mining firms in Claver, Surigao del Norte recently. In the event the police increased visibility in mining installations. The enhanced police presence give us renewed confidence, and we are thankful the police quick response during the attacks.

        The Chamber of Mines likewise look for the revival of the Minerals Council, to make coordination among stakeholders easily. With current set-up, where mining firms had to get in touch with at least 10 government departments and agencies just to get their operations off the ground. With Minerals Council at work all relevant stakeholders would be on hand to discuss issues that is important, effectively accelerating the consultation and permit-issuance process.

        The concerned secretaries agreed for the revival of the Minerals Council as a move for cooperation to mining companies in general.   atj