Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez will sign a new policy that will impose a ban on all prospective open-pit mining in the country.

In the press conference held at the DENR Social Hall last April 27, she announced that she is banning prospective open-pit mining for the following reasons: it will be a “financial liability for government for life;” “open-pit is a risk to the community living there, for life;” and it “kills the economic potential of the place.”

She also discussed the plans for the mining industry which would focus on area development; use Biochar technology in mine rehabilitation; development of a green economy, agro-forestry and eco-tourism, among others.

Lopez also said that no mining activities will be allowed in Sibuyan Island because it is a “critical habitat” area.

Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed by Lopez with several mining companies for the use of their Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) funds and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to alleviate poverty in their respective mining communities and provinces.

Lopez has signed a MOA with San Roque Metals, Inc. (SRMI) and Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. for the improvement of Agusan del Norte province. For Agusan del Sur province, a MOA was signed with Philsaga Mining Corporation and for Cebu province, Lopez signed a MOA with Carmen Copper Corporation.

By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publications Division

Ms. Gina Lopez discussing the ban for prospective open-pit mining.

 Signing of MOA with Carmen Copper Corp.

Signing of MOA with San Roque Metals, Inc. (SRMI), Agata Mining Ventures and Philsaga Mining Corp.