The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) plans to require mining companies to pay higher mine waste and tailing fees per amendments to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act.
Basic Mine Wastes and Tailings (MWT) fees of P0.10 per metric ton (/MT) of mine wastes and P0.15/MT of tailings shall be generated from the mining, quarrying, and mineral processing operations.
The MWT fees to be collected per quarter shall amount to a minimum of P2,500 payable by all mining companies and a succeeding increase of P0.05/MT per year for five years for MWT’s reserve fund.
On the other hand, nickel mines shall pay for an Environmental Damage Compensation Fee which amounts to P1.00/MT of ore shipped or a minimum fee of P500,000 per annum that shall be placed to the MWT reserve fund and deposited to the Bureau of Treasury as compensation for the damages caused by the operations.
“The Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Director, is authorized to increase the said fees when national interest and public welfare so requires,” said MGB in a report.
The MWT fees shall be collected semi-annually from each operating mining company.
