Review of more mines set

The interagency Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) is looking to start this year its review of the other mining operations not covered by the closure orders issued by former environment chief Regina Paz Lopez.

Finance Undersecretary Bayani H. Agabin told reporters Monday that after the initial phase of audit of the 26 mines expected to be finished by May, more than 70 other mining sites would be up for review as mandated under the law that established the MICC.

Agabin, who represents Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III at the MICC, said that since the budget for each mine site’s review was about P1 million, they would need another P75 million to review the remaining mining operations.

Dominguez and Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu co-chair the Cabinet-level MICC.

Agabin said that if they would have leftover budget, currently sourced from the departments of environment and natural resources and of finance, they might proceed with the review of the other mines.

The two agencies shelled out P25 million for the review of the 26 mines.

This first round of review started in March, with the draft reports of the five technical review teams comprised of 25 experts expected to be submitted by the end of this month, Agabin said.

“The 26 mines, they’re the subject of economic, social, technical and legal reviews. And hopefully, the findings will also fit into the policy issues, maybe the amendment of the rules or the amendment of the Mining Act,” Agabin said.

Under the six-month timeframe for the review, the first three months will cover legal, technical and environmental aspects, while the tailend of the review will cover social and economic concerns.

After the two rounds of review, the technical review teams will submit reports on the mining sites, which will be submitted to the Office of the President, Agabin said.

“The MICC is recommendatory so the findings there will be submitted to the DENR and the President, for their consideration,” he said.