The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) endorsed the lifting of suspension of the Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation (ZDMC) and the Strong Built Mining Corporation (SBMDC) after evaluations show adherence to corrective measures and responsible mining.
“’Yung sa [For] Zambales [Diversified Metals Corporation (ZDMC)] and Strong Built [Mining Development Corporation (SBMDC)], in particular, it’s already endorsed for lifting. ’Yung iba [For the others] we still have to evaluate whether they have complied with the corrective measures,” Environment Undersecretary for Climate Change and Mining Concerns Analiza R. Teh was quoted saying in a BusinessWorld report on Tuesday, September 11.
According to Teh, three mining corporations appealed as of August 2019 – two of which were canceled while one was suspended.
Moreover, three nickel mining companies have their suspension orders lifted while five other mining corporations are still complying per DENR’s order.
Teh noted that the more pressing issue is ensuring the compliance of these mining firms to the proper environmental and safety standards.
“We need to develop public confidence in them. Talagang kaya ba natin ang [Can we really do] responsible mining? We are more focused on that. We would like to strengthen our monitoring and enforcement capabilities, so that we can really make sure that the mining companies will be able to comply with the provisions regarding the environmental requirements,” Teh said in the report.
