MGB receives 126 mining applications

MANILA, Philippines - Some 126 mining applications were received by the government after the moratorium on approval of permits was lifted yesterday, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said.

“So far, we have received 126 mining applications,” MGB director Leo Jasareno said in a telephone interview.

Earlier this month, the MGB announced that it would start accepting applications for Exploration Permits (EPs) as well as Financial or Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAAs).

The MGB imposed a moratorium on the processing of all types of mining applications in January 2011 as it moved to cleanse the industry of dormant applications.

The number of applications received yesterday is lower than the 1,218 areas which are open to mining.

“Many were not able to file mining applications due to their failure to meet the minimum capitalization requirement,” Jasareno said.

Last month, the MGB issued Memorandum Order No. 2013-01 which raised the minimum authorized capital requirement for applicants of EPs, mineral agreements and FTAAs to P100 million from P10 million.

The MGB likewise issued Administrative Order No.2013-10, or the “Procedural Guidelines in the Filing and Processing of Applications for Exploration Permit” which hiked mining application fees.

Under the guidelines, the EP and MA application fee was increased to P300 per hectare, but not less than P200,000 per application, from P60 per hectare.

The fee for FTAA application was likewise raised to P300 per hectare, but not less than P500,000 per application, from P60 previously.

Jasareno said that of the 126 applications received, seven were accepted by the MGB as these were able to comply with all the requirements.

He said 59 of the applications filed were rejected as these either had incomplete requirements or covered no-go zones.

Jasareno said those with rejected applications could reapply to the MGB once the requirements have been completed.

Some 28 applications, meanwhile were returned for corrections and the rest are “It will take a maximum of six months to determine whether the application has been approved,” Jasareno said.