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MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) gave Semirara Mining and Power Corporation one week to explain why its environmental compliance certificate (ECC) should not be cancelled.
Semirara told the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, August 16, that it just received a show cause letter from the DENR dated August 12, directing the company to explain within 7 days from receipt why its ECC should not be revoked.
The show cause order comes after the DENR found Semirara’s Molave Coal Mine Expansion Project allegedly violating one of the conditions in the ECC. (READ: DMCI Mining to lay off 400 workers as DENR stops expansion)
The DENR and its fact-finding inter-agency said the Molave Coal expansion deal did not comply with Condition No.1.A. (READ: Lopez warns Semirara Mining: ‘Get your act together’)
The condition states that “no proper stockpiling and disposal of the materials scooped out from the settling ponds, and other solid wastes impermanent, stabilized areas to avoid pollution of any water body and drainage systems, and maintaining them in safe and non-polluting conditions.”
Semirara’s Molave Coal was issued an ECC last April 29.
Report environmental compliance
On Monday, August 15, Semirara was also given 48 hours to respond upon receipt of a letter sent by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi last Friday, August 12, ordering the coal miner to submit reports of its compliance with environmental standards.
The Department of Energy (DOE) said issues include toxic waste on mangroves, the sulfur content of coal produced, negative effects on the lives of seaweed farmers, the 47% poverty level in Semirara Island, and land-grabbing.
The DOE’s action came after Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said last week that her department will be issuing a show cause order on Semirara Mining’s open-pit mine on Semirara Island.
During the first 6 months of the year, Semirara Mining saw its net income surge by 35% to P6.36 billion on higher coal revenues.
Semirara Mining is a subsidiary of Consunji-led DMCI Holdings, Incorporated. – Rappler.com
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