Miners oppose Ateneo School of Gov't's moratorium proposal

MANILA, Philippines - The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) is opposing a proposal of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) to impose a moratorium on mining activities citing that it would not address issues in the mining industry and could have a negative impact on the economy.

“A moratorium on mining activities being proposed by the ASoG is not the answer to the governance issues in the minerals development industry,” the COMP said in a statement yesterday.

It noted that before a moratorium on mining operations is imposed, there is a need to study how such action could affect employees and their families who depend on mining for their livelihood.

The COMP estimates that more than two million people are directly and indirectly dependent on mining and quarrying in the country.

“We also need to see the impact such moratorium will have to both local and foreign investors that help enhance our economic base through investments,” the COMP added.

Citing data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, it noted that a total of P10.4 billion foreign direct investments went out of country’s mining sector last year.

The country also missed its $1.4 billion projection for mining investments last year, which reached only $618.50 million.

The COMP said several foreign investors are already having second thoughts on whether they would be pursuing projects in the country due to uncertainties mining rules.

In its policy brief, the ASoG proposed a blanket moratorium on mining activities. The policy brief was used as framework for the book titled: “Mining. The Philippines and the Future” which ASoG launched recently.

In the book, ASoG cited that the country’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system fails to consider certain cumulative effects of mining projects.

The COMP argued, however, that the EIA system, which is a 12 -to 16-month process, is more than enough to determine the impacts that a mining project could have.

The COMP also said it was disappointed with the authors citing that while they acknowledged receipt of the group’s critique of the ASoG Policy Brief, none of their inputs were considered in the book.

“No amount of explanation can change their biased stand against mining. It should be noted that the authors of the book are academicians and have not immersed themselves into the mining business,” the COMP said.

The group added that responsible mining is already being practiced by large-scale mining firms and that it is the practices of small-scale mining firms which need to go through proper processes.

It also said mining in small islands should be allowed under specific circumstances especially when the vulnerabilities of the island have been thoroughly studied and can be managed by a mining proponent.