The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) decried on Tuesday the results of an environmental audit of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which called for the suspension of eight of its members.
The DENR revealed earlier Tuesday it has recommended closing 20 more miners – on top of the 10 miners earlier suspended – after failing to pass an environmental audit.
The audit was announced by Environment Secretary Regina Paz “Gina” Lopez on July 1, the first full day in office of the Duterte administration.
The DENR mandated mining companies to secure an International Standards Organization (ISO) certification, and make sure their operations are of international environmental standards.
In an emailed statement, COMP Vice President for Legal and Policy Ronald R.S Recidoro said the audit was done in a “punitive manner rather than objectively.”
“When you suddenly change the rules of the game, there should have been an earlier dialogue between companies and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, given that the audit report was already finished in August,” he said.
“As early as August, the alleged violations could have already been addressed instead of setting a trap for suspension,” he added.
Of the 20 miners recommended for suspension, eight are COMP members: Filminera Resources Corp., Marcventures Mining and Development Corp., Agata Mining Ventures Inc., CTP Construction and Mining Corp., Hinatuan Mining Corp., Benguet Corp., Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp., and OceanaGold Philippines Inc.
The companies that failed have a week explain to government why their mining operations should not be padlocked.
“Our member-companies will comply with the seven days given them to address these issues raised against their operations,” Recidoro said. – Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News
- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/582946/money/companies/chamber-of-mines-decries-denr-audit-results#sthash.bOtSzuFe.dpuf“When you suddenly change the rules of the game, there should have been an earlier dialogue between companies and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, given that the audit report was already finished in August,” he said.
“As early as August, the alleged violations could have already been addressed instead of setting a trap for suspension,” he added.
Of the 20 miners recommended for suspension, eight are COMP members: Filminera Resources Corp., Marcventures Mining and Development Corp., Agata Mining Ventures Inc., CTP Construction and Mining Corp., Hinatuan Mining Corp., Benguet Corp., Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp., and OceanaGold Philippines Inc.
The companies that failed have a week explain to government why their mining operations should not be padlocked.
“Our member-companies will comply with the seven days given them to address these issues raised against their operations,” Recidoro said. – Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News
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