MGB standardizes permits monitoring

MANILA, Philippines — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is moving toward unifying and standardizing the monitoring system of mining permits and contracts as the government eyes stricter compliance for companies.

MGB director Wilfredo Moncano recently issued a memorandum circular that standardizes monitoring system of permits and establishes a performance rating system for contractors and permit holders.

“This will ensure strict compliance to the terms and conditions of the permits and contracts and pertinent laws, rules and regulations,” Moncano said.

The circular contains the standard monitoring checklist for tenements, safety and health, environmental management and social development, and a compliance scorecard that will be utilized by the MGB regional offices to determine and measure the compliance of each contractor.

Only the contractors and permit holders that comply with all the mandatory requirements and attain an overall performance rating of 80 percent will be rendered compliant.

Moncano said contractors and permit holders who will fail to meet the standards will be rendered non-compliant, which is a ground for the imposition of penalties or suspension and cancellation.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has excluded small-scale mining in the moratorium on projects issued by former DENR chief Gina Lopez in 2016.

A memorandum circular recently issued by the DENR says small-scale mining projects in duly declared Minahang Bayan are not covered by the moratorium on the acceptance, processing and/or approval of new mining projects.

In July 2016, Lopez ordered the audit of all operating and suspended mines while the moratorium will cover the acceptance, processing and approval of applications and projects for all metallic and non-metallic minerals.

DENR said small-scale mining projects in declared Minahang Bayan areas expressed concern over the issuance of small-scale mining contracts and environmental compliance certificates.