Metals Exploration CEO Darren Bowden has urged the Philippine government to streamline the country’s slow exploration permit process, warning that the delays are hindering growth and driving investors to other mining jurisdictions.
In a Philippine Star report, Bowden criticized the lengthy approval timelines, which he said prevented the Philippines from fully capitalizing on its mineral wealth. He contrasted the local process with Australia’s, where exploration permits are approved within weeks, allowing companies to begin fieldwork in a short time.
Bowden emphasized that exploration is the foundation of a thriving mining industry. Lengthy permitting delays, he argued, make it difficult for companies to raise capital and move projects forward, ultimately discouraging investment in the sector.
He pointed to a stark contrast in exploration spending between the Philippines and other major mining countries. Australia recorded AU$4.2 billion (Php 150 billion) in exploration expenditures in 2023, while the Philippines only saw $37 million.
He also raised concerns about the application of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) during the exploration phase. While expressing support for indigenous rights, he argued that the law is being misapplied, requiring unnecessary negotiations that further delay the process.
To this, Bowden called for a two-stage permitting and consultation framework. Under his proposal, early-stage exploration would be subject only to environmental safeguards and a limited review period, while full benefit-sharing negotiations would take place once a viable mining project is confirmed.
He also urged the government to take immediate action, warning that without reform, the Philippines will continue to lag behind in global mining development.
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