Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito L. Atienza on Wednesday stressed that the revitalization program for the mining industry shall not only pave way for development of new mines but shall also ensure that there would be no abandoned ones that could harm the environment and communities.

Atienza issued the statement as DENR approved the final mine rehabilitation and decommissioning plans of Holcim Philippines, Inc. for its four plants in the country, the first to be issued by the Department since the implementation of the Mining Act of 1995.

“Our laws have provided for a mechanism that ensures that all mines shall be rehabilitated to a final land use that is beneficial and safe for the environment and the communities," Atienza said.

"We are the only country in Southeast Asia that employs a mechanism that would ensure environmental protection not only before and during mine operation but also even after a mine has ceased to operate. This is the true essence of sustainable development, and the DENR's issuance of these first four final mine rehabilitation plans sends the message that sustainable development is at work in our emerging mining country."

The tack to impose a reliable mechanism that would ensure there would be no more abandoned mines in the future and the rehabilitation of identified abandoned mines has been identified as one of the major thrusts under the Mineral Action Plan of the Revitalization Program of the Mining Industry. The abandonment of some mines has been identified as one of the major issues raised against mining.

The government has earlier identified seven abandoned mines in the country that include: Bagacay Mine in Samar, Basay in Negros Oriental, Quicksilver in Palawan, Consolidated Mines in Marinduque, and Thanksgiving Mine, Western Minolco and Black Mountain in Cordillera.

“There will be no more abandoned mines after these,” Atienza said.

First mine closure plan approved

DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau on Wednesday issued the Certificates of Approval for the Final Mine Rehabilitation/Decommissioning Plans (FMR/DP) of Holcim Philippines ’ plants in Bulacan, La Union, Lugait in Misamis Oriental, and Davao .

DENR-MGB Director Horacio C. Ramos said Holcim Philippines is the first company to deliver an FMR/DP including the commitment to fund it, making it a milestone not only for the company but also for the DENR and the mining industry.

An FMR/DP details the social and physical rehabilitation aspects of mine closure, including the final land use after rehabilitation. The Plan is a provision under the implementing rules and regulations of the Mining Act of 1995, for all mining and quarry companies operating in the Philippines .

Under Holcim Philippines ’ FMRDPs, the company would rehabilitate its 11 limestone, silica and shale quarries into forestlands, for which it would spend P72 million for 12 years starting year 2010. The plan was agreed with the company’s stakeholders.

The P72 million FMRDP fund is part of the over P1 billion fund that the company has committed to spend for environmental protection, enhancement and rehabilitation. The company’s environmental program is detailed in their Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program, which involves the progressive rehabilitation of its mines throughout its minelife, and the FMR/DP, which addresses the closure plan.

Holcim Philippines is a member of the Holcim global network, which is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement, aggregates, concrete, and construction-related services. The company is also known for its commitment to sustainable development in all the countries of their operations.

Its four plants in the Philippines produce an annual capacity of more than seven million metric tons of clinker and 8.7 million metric tons of cement.

August 15, 2007