The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is the agency directly in charge of the administration and disposition of the country’s mineral lands and mineral resources.

MGB envisions a minerals industry that is not only prosperous but also socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable, with broad community and political support while positively and progressively assisting in the government's program on poverty alleviation and contributing to the general economic well-being of the nation.

MGB also aims to be the leading geosciences and geo-resources Bureau serving the public and nation with scientific reliability.

I.     OPERATIONS

Organizational Outcome 1: Natural Resources Sustainably Managed

Program 1: Mineral Resources Enforcement and Regulatory Program

Sub-Program: Mineral Regulation Services

The Program executes the mandate of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), consistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7942, the “Philippine Mining Act of 1995”, an act instituting a new system of mineral resources exploration, development, utilization and conservation.  The act provides for the authority of DENR through MGB on the direct administration and disposition of mineral lands and mineral resources that will promote the rational exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of natural resources leading to the enhancement of economic growth and countryside development while effectively safeguarding the environment and protecting the rights of affected communities.  This program is also in support of Executive Order No. 79 re: Institutionalizing and Implementing Reforms in the Philippine Mining Sector and Providing Policies and Guidelines to Ensure Environmental Protection and Responsible Mining in the Utilization of Mineral Resources, issued in 2012.  Expected beneficiaries include the mining industry, national government agencies, local government units, host and neighboring communities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. 

The program has the following strategies:

1. Mineral Investment Promotion Program

This involves the issuance of mining permits and contracts to qualified persons pursuant to the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.  These permits/contracts include Exploration Permits, Mineral Agreements, Financial or Technical Assistance Agreements, Mineral Processing Permits, Industrial Sand and Gravel Permits, and other mining related permits such as Ore Transport Permit, Mineral Ore Export Permit, Accreditation of Traders/Dealers, Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility, Certificate of Environmental Management and Community Relations Record, etc.  The implementation of the National Small-Scale Mining Program pursuant to Republic Act No. 7076 is also another component which has the objective of rationalizing small-scale mining activities thru the declaration of Peoples Small-Scale Mining Areas, operationalization of Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Boards, and assistance to small-scale miners.

2. Mining Industry Development Program

This ensures that the exploration, development, and utilization of the country’s mineral resources are undertaken responsibly and in compliance with the laws, rules and regulations.  It involves the monitoring and audit of all mining/mineral processing operations to ascertain the compliance of mining contractors/permittees/permit holders with the terms and conditions of its contracts/permits, as well as their compliance with the safety and health, environmental, and social development and management provisions of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the “Philippine Mining Act of 1995,” and it’s Implementing Rules and Regulations. To further support the monitoring of the compliance of mining/mineral processing projects with environmental programs and certificates, Multipartite Monitoring Teams (MMT) are also operationalized. Filed complaints/cases/conflicts are addressed through the conduct of investigations. Lastly, illegal mining activities are addressed through the issuance of cease-and-desist orders and the consequent filing of charges in the Provincial/City Prosecutor’s Office.

3. Mine Rehabilitation Program

The Mine Rehabilitation Program is a flagship program of the MGB dealing with the rehabilitation and remediation of abandoned mines, and the preparation of Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the abandoned mines in the country. It envisions to implement the Environmental Management Plans for all abandoned mines in the country and transform abandoned mines and mined-out areas into land uses beneficial to communities and the environment. The MGB commissioned the preparation of EMPs through the conduct of a series of studies and risk assessments for the remaining structures and facilities, as well as formulation of the most appropriate rehabilitation strategies for the abandoned mines in the country. The program is looking forward to the implementation of rehabilitation efforts until such time that the project will be turned over to respective local government units for monitoring and maintenance.

Program 2: Mineral Resources and Geosciences Development Program

Sub-Program: Mineral Resources Development

The objectives of the Program are attained thru the generation of geologic data vital in the development of mineral resources; land use classification, planning and development; groundwater resource management; geohazard zonation; solid waste disposal sites; and environmental protection and regulation.   It consists of two strategies, namely: Geologic Survey and Exploration, and Mineral Reservation. 

1. Geologic Survey and Exploration

A. Land

The Geologic Survey and Exploration aims to generate geo-scientific information and consists of five (5) major components: 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Data compilation and collation;
                              • Data generation through air-photo interpretation and other remote sensing techniques;
                              • Field geological mapping and survey, which will involve geological sampling and analysis;
                              • Interpretation and analysis of data; and
                              • Generation of reports and production of the geological maps at the scale of 1:50,000.

B. Offshore

The “Geological Studies and Marine Mineral Exploration of Philippine Seas” is a project that will conduct research and exploration in order to determine the economic potential of the marine areas in the Philippines.  In particular, the fundamental purpose of the research is to assess the coastal and offshore mineral resources, with particular emphasis on placer deposits. With this exploration work, delineation of inferred resources within the country’s coast and territorial waters is expected. The mineral resources that will be sought are gold and other base metals, rare earth elements (REEs), and other non-metallic and aggregate deposits. In the process, mapping of the seafloor to identify the different geologic undersea topographic and tectonic features and to assess the sedimentary character of the sand and gravel resources and other associated minerals will be conducted. The project will be conducted in areas adjacent to the Philippine Rise, Celebes Sea, and West Philippine Sea.

2. Mineral Reservation Program

The Mineral Reservation Program (MRP) aims to manage and promote existing mineral reservation areas and declare new mineral reservation areas.  Additional revenues to the government thru payment of royalties (Chapter II, Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and Chapter Ill, Section 9 of Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2010-21) that are imposed on mining operations within the mineral reservations will contribute to the economy of the country.  This is equivalent to 5% of the gross revenues of the mining operations therein.  The MRP has four  (4) major activities, namely: (1) Management and Promotion of Existing Mineral Reservations; (2) Establishment of New Mineral Reservations; (3) Research and Development/Special Projects; and (4) Advance Exploration.

OO3: Adaptive Capacities of Human Communities and Natural Systems Improved

Program 1: Geological Risk Reduction and Resiliency Program

Sub-Program: Geological Assessment for Risk Reduction and Resiliency

This program intends to capacitate communities in their adaptation to geologic hazards, and provide them critical data on groundwater resources.  The program has two (2) components, namely:

1. Geohazard Assessment

The National Geohazards Assessment and Mapping Program (NGAMP) has thrived at the forefront of the country’s disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) endeavors for over a decade and a half. The program aims to prevent and mitigate the adverse impacts of the disasters by identifying areas in the country that are susceptible to different geologic hazards, particularly rain-induced landslide, flood, coastal and karst hazards and provide vital information to various stakeholders.

This program initiated the 1:50,000- and 1:10,000-scale Detailed Rain-induced Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Mapping in 2006 - 2010 and 2011 - 2014, respectively.  It resulted in the provision of geohazard maps for the 1,634 cities and municipalities nationwide. In 2015, the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) project was implemented as a follow-up activity of the 1:10,000 Scale Geohazard Mapping. It aims to provide risk exposure information to the LGUs in the updating and revision of their respective Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs), project development plans, and disaster preparedness, management, and mitigation programs. Other components of the program include the intensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign for each project and the dissemination of the generated maps to various stakeholders. In addition, VRA also entails the updating of the 1:10,000-scale susceptibility maps. This activity is a critical component of the geohazard program.

Also, in 2015, the NGAMP expanded to include the Karst Subsidence Hazards Assessment and Mapping Project as a consequence of the 2013 7.2-Mw Bohol Earthquake. Karst hazards, particularly subsidence due to sinkhole collapse and especially in urbanized and developing areas, are dangerous to various elements at risk (e.g., population and critical infrastructures) because of the extreme unpredictability of their occurrence. This project aims to assess such hazards and focuses on cities and municipalities that are primarily underlain by carbonates that form karst landscapes. The methodology employed is a combination of geological and geomorphological assessments as well as geophysical surveys using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).

Recognizing the need to streamline and establish protocols in providing warning information for possible geohazard threats, the Bureau developed its Information and Communication Protocol (ICP) in 2013. Along with the enhancement in the NDRRMC protocols, the MGB Operation Center (OpCen) ICP was enhanced in 2015 and was updated in the first semester of 2021. The ICP established the functions and roles of the different Operation Centers and Quick Response Teams and the framework for reporting within and outside the institution. The 2021 update on the MGB Geohazard OpCen standardized reporting templates for harmonization and data validation. Reviews highlighted the standardization of the operational structure of the Central and Regional Geohazard Operation Centers, strengthened coordination between the MGB CO and the ROs, through regular and timely provision of real-time spot reports, situational reports, and post-disaster assessment reports. 

The MGB further strengthened its geohazard program by introducing assessments centered on 1) disaster-affected areas, and 2) Environmental Critical Areas (ECA). These activities are carried out by the MGB Regional Offices starting in 2021. The geohazard assessment of disaster-affected areas allows the MGB ROs to prioritize municipalities/cities significantly affected by recent hazard events but were not within the regular travel plan or were already accomplished for the updating activity. This activity is not limited to rain-induced landslides and floods; the occurrence of other geologic hazards can similarly affect the geohazard susceptibility ratings within an area, as seen in the 2019 Mindanao Earthquake.

The coastal geohazard assessment project that started in 2015 focused on areas which are highly prone to erosion and accretion. From 2019 and onwards, coastal cities and municipalities that were identified critical to coastal erosion and accretion shall be monitored for coastal vulnerability as affected by sea level rise and coastline shift due to the impact of climate change. Starting 2021, coastal municipalities/cities were assessed utilizing the new methodology, Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI), coupled with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP).

2. Groundwater Resource Assessment

The Groundwater Resource and Vulnerability Assessment Program of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is conducted to determine the availability of groundwater resources and the threats to depletion and contamination.

It covers two main aspects: the resource assessment component and the vulnerability component. The program shall cover a regional assessment (per province for 2016-2018) of 82 provinces (including NCR) nationwide and a detailed assessment (in 1:50,000 scale) of 91 cities/municipalities in 2019, 50 cities/municipalities in 2020; 53 cities/municipalities in 2021 and 50 cities/municipalities for 2022.  As of 2018, 76 provinces were completed for groundwater resource assessment.  In terms of the regional scale, the program shall generate a 1:250,000 scale groundwater availability map. The Program will integrate climate change impacts in some critical areas that will be identified during the assessment, such as changes in sea level which might affect groundwater resources in the coastal areas, and the effect of the reduction in the recharge of the groundwater due to drought.

In compliance with Section 19.4 of DAO 2005-10 (Implementing Rules and Regulation of Republic Act No 9275 or the Clean Water Act of 2004), the groundwater vulnerability assessment component was implemented starting in 2020 with three (3) pilot watershed areas covered. This component generates a 1:250,000 scale groundwater vulnerability map which serves as guide in the protection of groundwater sources from contamination.