MGB holds forum on new mining policies

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau held a forum on recent policies enacted in the mining industry on July 8, 2015 inviting representatives from the industry, civil society, and government.

The said forum discussed recently issued DENR Administrative Orders in line with the implementation of Executive Order 79 or the “Institutionalization and implementing reforms in the Philippine Mining Sector providing policies and guidelines to ensure environmental protection and responsible mining in the utilization of mineral resources”.

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The forum highlighted the issued DAO on the revised implementing rules and regulations of RA 7076 or the People’s Small Mining Act of 1991. Under the said DAO, the provincial or city mining regulatory board (P/CMRB) will be chaired solely by the MGB regional director. This is in contrast to the previous arrangement wherein the regional director and the governor/mayor sits as co-chairpersons.

It also raised the application fees of small scale mining operators and subjected them to local and national taxes, royalties to those in mineral reservation and other taxes similar to those charged to large scale mining operators.

The talk was delivered by Engr. Esteban Martin, OIC of the Mining Technology Division.

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Engr. Rodolfo Velasco of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division talked about the DAO called “Harmonization of the implementation of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System and the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 in relation to Mining Projects”.
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The said DAO aims to simplify management and monitoring of funds created for environmental protection and rehabilitation in the mining-affected areas. Mining projects shall set up a (1) Contingent Liability and Rehabilitation Fund (CLRF), (2) Environmental Trust Fund, and a fund for the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP).