Duterte meets with mining executives

MANILA, Philippines - After hitting the mining industry for what he described as its irresponsible practices, President Duterte met on Thursday with industry stakeholders to stress his concerns.

Mining officials who attended the event said the meeting was a positive start for the country’s mineral sector.

Approximately 120 members of the mining sector belonging to the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) and other non-member mining companies attended the late afternoon private meeting with the President.

In an interview with The STAR, COMP legal and policy vice president Ronald Recidoro said the meeting lasted about an hour and gave industry players the chance to hear directly from the President what he wanted them to do.

“The meeting was positive, in the sense that we are able to hear the President firsthand tell us what he wants to see from the industry. He told us that he just wants us to take care of the environment, plant trees and take care of the people (in host communities),” Recidoro said.

“We think that the President realizes that there is a law and they have to implement it. Just be responsible, that’s essentially his message,” he added.

“The President essentially said, for as long as mining groups, big or small, follow the rules on mining and keep environmental laws in mind, then there would be no problem and they can continue with their operations,” senior deputy executive secretary Menardo Guevara said.

The industry has been calling for a dialogue with the President since he began castigating mining companies for their role in environment degradation.

In his second State of the Nation Address, Duterte warned mining firms he would “tax them to death” unless they restore the communities damaged by mining operations.

“Last week, we were getting rumors that the President wanted to meet all stakeholders. Then we received a call Thursday midnight from the Office of the President, that we are meeting with him in Malacañang,” Recidoro said.

Representing the chamber at the meeting were its chairman Artemio Disini and heads of mining companies including Gerard Brimo of Nickel Asia Corp., Joey Leviste of Oceana Gold Corp., Eulalio Austin of Philex Mining Corp. and Dante Bravo of Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc.

Recidoro said the President told them about the environmental destruction caused by mining and industry players explained he might be referring to small-scale illegal miners.

“He said that mining degrades the environment but at the same time, he knows that we have a law which allows mining,” he added.

The chamber expressed belief the meeting was a positive development even if it was not able to air its side, as the President was the only one who spoke during the meeting.

“Clearly, the President’s message is that we have to communicate more. The President needs to know our environment initiatives,” he said.

“Our rehabilitation works are not highlighted, as well as our social development initiatives that we are doing. That’s our challenge now, how to make it known to the public. It’s walking our talk,” he added.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu and his undersecretaries also attended the meeting.

“The President was clear that mining cannot be stopped as there is a law allowing it, but it should be done responsibly,” Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Wilfredo Moncano said in a text message to The STAR.

Recidoro said the Chamber also talked with Cimatu but controversial issues were not discussed in detail.

“He (Cimatu) said that they are looking into the policies of (Gina) Lopez. He realized that responsible mining is possible after visiting some mining companies. But there was no hint on the open pit ban and mining moratorium,” Recidoro said.

Known for her strong position against destructive mining, Lopez briefly held the top environment post until the Commission on Appointments rejected her. – With Christina Mendez