Miners welcome lifting of ban on open-pit method

MANILA, Philippines — The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) welcomed the government’s lifting of the ban on open pit mining, saying it will allow the industry to contribute more to the country’s economic recovery.

“We welcome the decision to lift the ban on open-pit mining,” COMP spokesperson Rocky Dimaculangan told The Star in a mobile message.

“As most mining applications propose the use of the open-pit method, this decision will enable the industry to contribute more to our country’s economic recovery, particularly from the devastating effects of this ongoing pandemic, through investment promotion, job creation and poverty alleviation,” Dimaculangan said.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Department Administrative Order 2021-40 signed by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu lifted the ban on the open-pit method for mining for copper, gold, silver and complex ores in the country, which was imposed in 2017. The DAO also provides additional enhanced parameters and criteria for surface mining methods.

It aims to revitalize the mining industry and usher in significant economic benefits to the country by providing raw materials for the construction and development of other industries and by increasing employment opportunities in rural areas where there are mining activities, thereby stimulating countryside development.

It also targets to establish enhanced parameters and criteria for the types of surface mining methods under the declaration of mining project feasibility (DMPF) to address the environmental and safety issues of surface mining methods particularly open pit mining.

Dimaculangan said thousands of mines worldwide have adopted the open-pit method, including Australia, Canada and the US.

“There are economic, safety and environmental considerations for employing this method.  Where underground mining cannot be applied, the open pit method is primarily employed although there are other forms of surface mining. The shape, nature and location of the ore body determine the mining method,” Dimaculangan said.

“Open pit mines can be operated safely, according to globally accepted standards, and can be rehabilitated properly in a manner that provides alternative and productive land use after the life of the mine,” he said.

Under the new DAO, mining tenement holders shall be required to conduct baseline information gathering and evaluation, and incorporate the same in the mining project feasibility study and the appropriate work programs.

This shall be the basis of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for determining if the proposed mining project has satisfied a number of conditions such as ensuring that the surface mining method shall not pose a hazard to public health and safety resulting from ground failure or physical deterioration.

It should also not release hazardous chemicals into the environment, or use proven and acceptable techniques to control the same through internationally accepted containment, collection and treatment methods that will outlive the life of the mine, including its complete decommissioning.

Other conditions stated in the DAO require the mining operation to be able to prevent the generation or acceleration of acid rock drainage and other heavy metals that may contaminate water bodies; reduce the use of freshwater resources and avoid or mitigate the disruption of the water table and; reduce the risk of perpetual maintenance or liability associated with the surface mining method to be used.

The DAO also emphasized that the proponent should also have adequate information to conduct a comprehensive stakeholders’ involvement process to ensure that all interests and concerns are considered, and has social acceptability of its project since the commencement of the exploration activities.

The proponent should have submitted and presented appropriate programs for surface and subsurface slope-stability monitoring of potential slope failures, and has assured the mitigation of the effects thereof, and the safety of the personnel, communities, infrastructures and equipment.

It also should have accumulated sufficient geological data to conduct proper and accurate assessment of local geology, rock mass characteristics, hydroecology and surface hydrology.

“The implementation by the mining tenement holder of the necessary measures to meet these conditions shall be subject to the quarterly and/or annual monitoring by the MGB regional office concerned,” the DAO said.

The DAO also creates an oversight committee for the assessment of surface mining in the Philippines which will be chaired by the DENR undersecretary for field operations and environment and co-chaired by the DENR undersecretary for attached agencies, mining and muslim affairs.

Members of the committee include the directors of the MGB, the environmental management bureau, and the environmental law endorsement and protection services.

While miners welcomed the lifting of the ban on open pit mining, environmental group Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM0|) expressed dismay over the development.

“At this time when climate change brings devastating typhoons such as Odette, lifting the ban on open pit mining is a short-sighted and misplaced development priority of the government. Once again, the Duterte regime puts more premium on its flawed economic agenda categorizing destructive mining as an “essential industry” as part of the pandemic recovery,” the group said.

“This is simply not true, historically or statistically. ATM will continue to resist the efforts of this govt to plunder our remaining forests and natural resources. We will support affected communities and local governments who continue to oppose mining,” it said.

The group hopes this will be an eye-opener for all environmentalists to be more proactive in engaging in the 2022 elections.