Following the mudflow incident last October 2, the Department of Energy (DOE) is eyeing to lift the suspension order imposed on Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) after showing signs of compliance with its regulations and requirements.
According to a Philippine Star report, DOE Undersecretary Donato Marcos revealed that they had assessed SMPC’s mine site to validate whether the company has fully complied with the conditions for the lifting of the suspension order.
“We have done three inspections and for every inspection, they submit supplemental accomplishments, documents so we had to validate them,” Marcos was quoted as saying in the report.
Moreover, the agency also directed the firm to identify the risk areas and come up with a mining methodology for those.
“We’ve already asked about the technical and legal aspects, and they have fixed the issues, so we are thinking of lifting,” Marcos stated.
Despite putting a dent on its coal production, SMPC revealed that it had still met its output target, with total production 12 percent higher than the previous year, amounting to 14.5 million metric tons (MT), and coal shipment 26 percent higher, amounting to 14.6 million MT.
