Twenty mining firms failed the Department of Environment and National Resources' (DENR) industry-wide audit of compliance with safety standards while 11 other were allowed to continue operations, officials said Tuesday.
Operators of the 20 mines were advised to "get their act together" and were given seven days to respond to the findings of nearly two-month long inspections, according to DENR Secretary Gina Lopez.
The nickel mines that failed the audit account for 55.5 percent of annual output in the country, which is the world's largest supplier of nickel ore, said Environment Undersecretary Leo Jasareno. Only eleven others that were inspected were allowed to continue operations.
Among those facing suspension was Benguet Corp., the country's oldest nickel miner, for failing to rehabilitate a 20-year-old open pit in the mountains of Itogon, Benguet.
Also recommended for suspension were Nickel Asia Corp. unit Hinatan Mining Corp. and gold miner Lepantoi Consolidated Mining co.
“I want to make it clear I have no beef with the mining industry but I am vehemently against the adverse effects that may happen that are happening in some of the situations. The commitment must be for the common good,” Lopez said.
Meanwhile, Semirara Mining and Power Corp.'s coal mine, which was earlier cited for violations, was not included in the report since it is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Energy, Jasareno said.
Source / Image: ABS-CBN
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