Wellness in Environment: Regulations in Mining: The executive order (EO) on mining that President Benigno Aquino signed in early July is expected to have a significant effect on projects worth $12bn over the next five years, according to recent international press reports. The EO sets standards for environmental protection and paves the way for the government to raise more revenue from mining. The finance secretary, Cesar Purisima, said the order would initiate a “thorough review of all mining operations … to strengthen and promote efficient and effective regulation of the industry, as well as gain popular support for the development of our mineral resources

The Philippines: Regulations in mining | Energy | Philippines | Oxford Business Group: "Environmental measures included in the order are bans on mining in areas identified as sites for ecotourism, agriculture and fishing; tighter regulation on small-scale mining; and a ban on the use of mercury. The EO also requires local mining regulations to be consistent with national legislation, a centralising move likely to be welcomed by the industry, which has occasionally found local administrations sceptical of mine development.

Importantly, the order respects existing mining agreements and allows exploration activities, feasibility studies and the processing of environmental compliance papers to restart. A moratorium on new projects imposed in January 2011, when the government began a review of its mining policy, has been a cause of great frustration for the industry, particularly given the Philippines’ resource wealth and rising global demand for minerals."

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