The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has modified the requirements for reporting exploration results, mineral resources, and ore reserves.
DENR administrative order (DAO) No. 2023-05, which revises DAO 2010-09, introduces new specifications that enable the local mining industry to adopt advancements and enhancements aligned with internationally recognized standards, as outlined in the Philippine Mineral Reporting Code of 2020 (PMRC 2020).
The implementation of the new DENR administrative order (DAO) allows complying mining contractors, permittees, permit holders, operators, and mining applicants to accelerate the evaluation and development of mining projects. This is accomplished by coordinating and streamlining the entire reporting procedure for the findings of mineral exploration.
Prior to the implementation of PMRC 2020, the industry had been utilizing the standards established in PMRC 2007, which were in line with the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code of 2004 and the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO) International Reporting Template of 2006.
The revision of the PMRC to its 2020 edition was conducted by the PMRC Committee, which consists of organizations like the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM), the Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP), and the Society of the Metallurgical Engineers of the Philippines (SMEP). These organizations collaborated with various minerals industry-related organizations and bodies, including the Philippine Stock Exchange Inc., the Chambers of Mines of the Philippines, the Philippine Mining and Exploration Association, the Philippine-Australia Business Council, and the Philippine Chamber of Coal Mines.
The updated directives also included changes to terminologies, including the replacement of “competent person” with “accredited competent person” (ACP). An ACP is an industry professional who has obtained accreditation from organizations such as PSEM, GSP, and SMEP, or other professional organizations accredited by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).
The recent DAO also included a comprehensive checklist of assessment and reporting criteria that must be taken into account by an ACP when preparing a report on exploration results, mineral resources, or mineral reserves.
According to the DENR, major players in the industry have a period of two years to adapt to the updated guidelines.
