Philippines to suspend more mines as environmental review ends

by Reuters
September 5, 2016
Article from Manila Bulletin, retrieved from http://www.mb.com.ph/philippines-to-suspend-more-mines-asenvironmental-review-ends/#0jCCU2GopMPxxllH.99, accessed September 6, 2016,
The Philippines will this week announce the suspension of
more of the countrys mines for violating environmental
regulations, the mining minister said on Monday, as the
government

wrapped

up

seven-week

review.

The Southeast Asian nation, the worlds top nickel ore

supplier, launched a review of the countrys 40 metallic mines
on July 8 and has so far suspended 10, eight of them
producing nickel ore. The closures and the risk of more mines
being shuttered lifted nickel prices to a one-year high last month.
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez declined to say how many more mines will be
suspended but told Reuters that there will absolutely be more suspensions.
All the suspensions are absolutely due to environmental reasons, and my particular interest is the wellbeing of the
community, thats my benchmark, Lopez said in a text message.
Three-month nickel on the London Metal Exchange was trading just above $10,000 a tonne on Monday.
We have had mining in this country for over a hundred years. And until now we dont even have one rehabilitated
mine site, not one, Lopez said in the text message.
Just gaping open holes, destroyed rivers, children with brain disease, so very sad, she said, referring to sick
children in the province of Marinduque where a 1996 tailings leak at Canadian-owned Marcopper Mining Corps
copper mine contaminated rivers.
Lopezs agency finished its review last month.
Her stance on mining is backed by President Rodrigo Duterte who has previously warned miners to strictly follow
tighter environmental rules or shut down, saying the nation could survive without a mining industry.
Miners have claimed that the governments environmental crackdown is a demolition campaign against them and
have sought a meeting with Duterte.
The Philippines is the top nickel ore supplier to China, shipping 34 million tonnes in 2015.
(Reporting by Manolo Serapio Jr.; Editing by Richard Pullin)

It is truly alarming that mining industry in the provinces have given much problems to our society.
The issue causes not only environmental problems; it also poses threat for human well-being. This is not
only alarming for the Philippines, but to mankind as this signals the near distraction of species. As a
result, this will affect the ecosystem. The biosphere will be agitated as the biotic and abiotic cycle will be
disturbed. Without this balance, the operation of nature will be disorganized and will surely affect other
species. This may signal the end of another specie and the decline of nature if not addressed
immediately. Disturbing the biological diversity linking all organisms will threat the future generations.

With our rivers having destroyed by mining, fresh water supply and food resources may
decrease. The long term effect may be distraction and loss of resources, and in effect, will threaten the
human life.

As part of the ecosystem, we should take part in preserving and cultivating the rich biodiversity
that we have. The planet needs to be watched upon by us for it to survive and be able to accommodate
the needs of future generations.

As the government regulates mining in the country, we too must, in our own ways, help protect
the environment. It is not only the mining industry which contributes to distraction of the environment. We
must work hand-in-hand in protecting mother nature. One way would be reducing the emission of air
pollution as this contributes to the decline of the ecosystem. Burning of fossil fuels should be minimized, if
not eradicated. We can use other sources of energy that are renewable and eco-friendly.

Mining indeed, if not regulated, will destroy our natural resources. We must lessen, if not to
eradicate, the use of resources coming from unregulated and unhealthy practice of mining. If purchasing
is inevitable, let us make sure that we will use it wisely, and repurpose, reuse, and/or recycle as much as
possible. Let us welcome the use of eco-friendly alternatives being offered today in the market.

University of Santo Tomas

College of Architecture
Espaa Blvd, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila

Environmental Management Assignment # 3

Submitted by:
Maria Lovella M. Capellan
5AR-7
Submitted to:
Archt. Leah Martin