Recap of the interview with Undersecretary Jonas Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/mining-applications-duterte-reverses-mining-ban-denr-assures-environment-protection-in-new-mining-projects
(November 1, 2021) – President Rodrigo Duterte is reversing a policy on banning open pit mining and would start awarding new minerals contracts to boost economic recovery after the economy plunged into recession due to strict lockdowns after the coronavirus outbreak.
But the government said the sudden change in the country’s mining policy will not result in massive environmental destruction, Undersecretary Jonas Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
The late environment secretary, Regina Lopez, banned open pit mining in the country and cracked down on mines early in the Duterte administration, Leones said, adding the government has relaxed the rules and would award more minerals contracts. The country has the largest untapped mineral deposits, like the Tampakan copper and gold mines in Mindanao.
Miners in the past were not interested in investing in environmental compliance as it was costly, but mining chambers have been starting to set aside money on environmental protection recognizing that these initiatives will ultimately spur economic growth, he said...