MANILA, Philippines - After months of waiting, the Aquino administration finally released Executive Order 79 or the Mining EO on Monday, July 9.

Malacañang laid down guidelines for small scale mining, environmental and transparency standards, the primacy of national laws, the validity of existing contracts and the creation of a mining council, which will continue consulting with the different stakeholders.

As for the contentiuos revenue sharing scheme -- where the national government aims to increase what it currently earns from the miners -- Energy Secretary Ramon Paje, a co-chair of the mining council, said they will pursue legislation, but in the meantime, no new mineral agreements will be approved.

[Read the EO in full here]

This executive order is considered as one of the most awaited decisions of the business, environmental, and local government sectors. Previously scheduled for release last February, the issuance of the EO was postponed several times as different pro- and anti-mining advocates made their position.

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