DENR to respect provincial decision on open-pit mining

MANILA, Philippines — The  government will honor the outcome of the province of South Cotabato’s public consultations on the proposed lifting of the open-pit mining ban, specifically in the municipality of Tampakan, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In a statement, DENR officer-in-charge Secretary Jim Sampulna said the government would  respect the outcome of the public hearings called by the provincial board on the proposed amendments to the Environment Code.

Sampulna was invited by South Cotabato Vice Gov. Vicente de Jesus to the multi-sectoral consultation forum in Koronadal City last Feb. 24 to provide technical information that would help the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members decide on whether or not to lift the ban on open-pit mining.

Sampulna assured stakeholders that the government respects their rights, adding that the general good of the people of South Cotabato is of utmost importance to the provincial government.

“On the legality of the provincial ordinance, it is well settled that ordinances enacted by virtue of the general welfare clause are valid,” Sampulna said.

He expressed optimism that the DENR could contribute to a better appreciation of the advantages and disadvantages of the project, as well as help the SP members reach an informed decision when they cast their respective votes.

A public hearing was also held on Feb. 18 in Tampakan town, which hosts the multi-billion-peso Tampakan gold-copper project touted as the largest undeveloped copper and gold mine in Southeast Asia.

The Tampakan project of  Sagittarius Mines Inc.  has the potential to yield an average of 375,000 tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold in concentrate per annum over the proposed 17-year life of the mine.

In December, former DENR secretary Roy Cimatu signed  Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2021-40, which  lifted the ban on the open-pit method for mining for copper, gold, silver, and complex ores in the country.

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.