The mining industry in the Philippines is in a life-and-death struggle with environmentalists led by environment and natural resources minister, Gina Lopez. The fight fortells what is likely to happen across the Asia-Pacific. At the moment, the Philippine mining sector is on the back foot, with Lopez ordering closure of 23 of the country 41 mines and suspending another five for destruction of watershed areas and indiscriminate mining. Of the mines facing closure, 17 are involved in nickel production. These firms represent about half of the country annual nickel output, Lopez says.
The Philippines has been the world biggest supplier of nickel since 2012, following Indonesia ban on mineral exports. Lopez has also ordered the cancellation of 75 mineral production sharing contracts (MPSCs) in watershed zones, many of which are in the exploration stage and none in production yet. The latest action by Lopez suggests that she will not allow them to be developed further despite the mining companies plan to appeal in court. Lopez decision, which followed a month-long audit of the mines, disregarded recommendations by a government team that suspensions and fines were enough. She explained that as environment minister she has the power to go beyond suspensions. Lopez told a televised news conference called to announce the closures and suspensions. She added that her announcement was her Valentine gift to the Filipino people? Environmental awareness is protected by proper regulations in the west and are increasing in China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar.
The green voice of some politicians have now introduced policies aimed at protecting the environment ... but so do existing regulations. Enforcement by the governments is the key to success. WP Eds suggest that such vigorous actions against the mining industry will likely show that her actions to be unnecessarily extreme causing hardship for the Filipino people from decreasing jobs and revenues in the Philippines.
Original URL withdrawn: http://www.miningafricaonline.co.za/index.php/news-and-events/news-archive/3074-asia-pacific-analysis-tough-times-for-the-mining-industry
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