December 3, 2003 - In a bid to harmonize the twin goals of revitalizing the minerals industry and protecting the environment and social development, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Elisea G. Gozun outlined the parameters for responsible mining during the opening ceremonies of the two-day National Mining Conference (NMC) which started today at the Holiday Inn Galleria.

“It is the government’s policy to promote responsible mineral resources exploration, development and utilization in a manner that adheres to the principles of sustainable development,” Gozun said.

The DENR Chief announced that the government would provide the necessary support mechanisms for a sustained mineral exploration program, responsive research and development priorities and capability-building for industry manpower.

According to Gozun, “clear, stable, predictable and harmonized investment and regulatory policies” will facilitate more investments and generate more jobs in the sector.

Gozun also underscored the need to optimize the use of the country’s non-renewable mineral resources through value-adding and the adoption of efficient technologies. “We should not allow ourselves to be mere exporters of raw mineral resources,” she stressed. Last year, the mining sector provided direct employment to 101,000 people and it is estimated that for each mining job, four to 10 allied jobs are created in upstream and downstream industries.

She also said that mining should be pursued within the framework of multiple land use to harmonize competing resource utilization in mineralized zones.

In her speech, Gozun stressed that environment protection in every stage of mining operation should be ensured and that the ecological integrity of affected areas should be upheld. “A mining project’s license to operate depends not only on the capability to meet its economic objectives, but also in its capacity to absorb the social and environmental costs,” she said.

Priority will also be given to the remediation and rehabilitation of abandoned mines and in pursuing accountability for the negative impacts of mining. “We recognize that this is the single biggest source of concern and lack of confidence in the development of the minerals industry. This will require considerable amount of resources but we will not allow ourselves to be idle and do nothing while waiting for the resources to come,” noted Gozun.

The DENR has already created a multi-sectoral team from the environment, forestry, biodiversity and mining to address the abandoned Bagacay mines in Samar. The rehabilitation of the affected areas of 1996 Marcopper tailings spill in Marinduque is being addressed and the dust pollution from Maricalum in Sipalay, Negros Occidental has been substantially resolved.

Gozun also called for a more equitable sharing of the economic and social benefits derived from mining among various units of government and the affected communities. She also endorsed the view that small-scale mining be promoted as a formal sector of the minerals industry to extend the benefits of mining to the less privileged sectors of society.

The responsible mining framework and principles were based on the issue and concerns discussed during several consultations with different sectors. “As part of our good governance program, we will continue to use the multi-stakeholders approach when we operationalize these principles into specific policies and action plans. Government, business and civil society must all work together to further enhance public awareness and education to ensure that all those concerned can make informed decisions,” Gozun stressed.