The Philippines lifted a two-year moratorium on approving mining exploration permits but kept a ban on new mining operations in place, Reuters reported July 31.
The move to end the moratorium on mining exploration permit approvals may help determine the potential of some prospects in the Southeast Asian nation, which expects nickel ore exports, its top mineral commodity, to fall by up to 17% in 2018.
However, according to Analiza Teh, undersecretary at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the new order will only allow exploration at 16 previously approved mining contracts. “Only those with existing mineral production sharing agreements can proceed with exploration.”
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, who took over from environmentalist Regina Lopez in May 2017, lifted a suspension on government approvals for small-scale mining projects in June.
A month ago, a government panel in the Philippines cleared 23 of 27 nickel mines Lopez had ordered closed or suspended in 2017 due to environmental concerns and noncompliance with state regulations.
Further, the country seeks to limit the production area miners can use at any one time to improve environmental rehabilitation, with 30 nickel mines initially targeted for the plan.
