MANILA, Philippines - Mining stakeholders are appealing to Environment Secretary Gina Lopez to give mining companies a chance to do their business and to continue to contribute to the growth of the economy amid the government's intensified crackdown on irresponsible mining.

"Let's give mining a chance. We have the laws and the provisions are very strict. The industry is asking to just let them do their business," Philex Public and Regulatory Affairs senior vice president Mike Toledo said in a briefing yesterday.
Read more: Mining firms ask for chance to prove worth