DENR clears Semirara’s P291 billion coal mine expansion

MANILA, Philippines — Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) of tycoon Isidro Consunji has secured the key environmental clearance to proceed with its planned P291-billion coal mine expansion project in Antique.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has granted an amended environmental compliance certificate (ECC) to SMPC, effectively granting the company the right to push through with the project.

“The amendment covers an increase in the project area to 5,221.75 hectares from 4,369.25 hectares,” SMPC said in a stock exchange filing.

The project is located within the 13,000-hectare coal operating contract awarded by the Department of Energy (DOE) to SMPC.

The expansion project is designed to operate SMPC’s existing Molave and Narra pits, with plans to eventually run the new Acacia pit once the coal deposits in the existing pits are depleted.

Through the amended ECC, the company may now advance development and start mining activities at the Acacia pit, which holds about 80 million metric tons of coal reserves.

“This amendment supports SMPC’s ongoing operations and is consistent with the mine plan approved by the DOE,” the leading domestic coal producer said.

The coal expansion project, as first reported by The STAR, received a go-signal from the DOE last December.

For 2025, SMPC has programmed around P6.9 billion for capital spending, with the bulk earmarked for refleeting initiatives and additional acquisition of mining and support equipment.

This is aligned with the company’s target of achieving an annual production of up to 16 million metric tons.

As the country’s largest coal producer, SMPC supplies affordable fuel to power plants, cement factories and industrial facilities nationwide. It also exports coal to China, South Korea, Brunei and other nearby markets.