SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Given the President’s acknowledgment that the Philippines need to industrialize, the environment department on Monday, September 5, laid out its plans to help achieve this.
A congressman with interest in mining, Caloocan City Representative Edgar Erice, was quick to ask how the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) would support big scale mining “because I suppose you agree small-scale can’t support industrialization.”
MGB Director Mario Luis Jacinto said there is an ongoing study on how the country can proceed when it comes to industrialization.
“This is not something that can happen overnight. There has to be a very deliberate effort to know what we have before you can sustain such an effort for the processing of our minerals,” Jacinto told lawmakers during the budget hearing of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at the House Representatives.
During his State of the Nation Address in July, President Rodrigo Duterte made the case for industrialization in the Philippines. “Let us be very clear on this: We need to industrialize,” he said.
Jacinto on Monday answered questions from Erice, who, from the onset, disclosed he is a shareholder of SR Metals Incorporated, which has a nickel mining project in Tubay, Agusan del Norte.
The MGB chief said they are doing an assessment of the country’s mineral commodities.
“How do we position in the [world’s minerals market]? We expect to have this within the first 6 months a consultation with the industry players,” Jacinto said.
Jacinto said the bureau can provide and share the following information:
- Geological studies that have been conducted
- Mineral deposits that have been identified
- Geohazards that occur in different parts of the country
- Watershed maps
“When all of this has been integrated, we will make an assessment and evaluation of the viability of any area that has been identified. The potential elements at risk can be identified, [and] decision points can be made to determine whether the proposed mining operation and development of minerals in those areas will really meet the 4 imperatives,” he said.
The MGB chief said a mining development proposal must lead to responsible mining and must meet 4 imperatives: technically feasible, environmentally compliant, socially acceptable, and financially viable.
He said if any of the imperatives is absent in a project, “it is not the time to mine.”
DENR’s proposed budget for 2017 amounts to P28.67 billion ($615.97 million)*. – Rappler.com
*US$1 = P46.54
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