The mining sector – more often than not – has always been portrayed as a destructive industry. Its positive impacts on the economy and overall society are usually overshadowed by mishaps which are generally caused by stakeholders who refuse to follow proper guidelines.
Based on latest data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), excise tax collection from the local mining sector for the first three quarters of 2024 reached around P5.11 billion, while royalties from the development and utilization of mineral resources within mineral reservation areas for the same period hit P2.73 billion.
MGB data also showed that for the said time frame, the country had 21 operating mines, including 20 nickel mining projects and one chromite mining project. Despite the continued animosity toward the sector, responsible local mining stakeholders are keen to continue investments beyond extraction of mineral ore — they are also very serious in pushing for environmental-related efforts.
Industry-Wide Sustainability Push
The local nickel mining industry has invested P4.3 billion in 2023 on initiatives aimed at advancing key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that foster community development and resilience.
The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) in an Oct. 13, 2024 statement said the investments were made through its Environmental Enhancement and Protection, Social Development and Management and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs.
These programs, PNIA said, were implemented in multiple host and neighboring cities and municipalities in seven provinces, including Zambales, Palawan, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Tawi-Tawi, directly benefiting communities surrounding the mining sites of PNIA members.
PNIA’s programs and projects support 15 out of 17 SDGs with focus on Life on Land (SDG 15), No Poverty (SDG 1) and Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3).
Community development initiatives
“Each year, we strive to align with sustainability, stewardship and resilience principles to mitigate environmental impacts, alleviate poverty and improve health outcomes for communities near mining operations. These goals are essential for the sustainability of both the environment and the communities we serve,” Dante Bravo, PNIA president, said in the statement.
Bravo said these efforts also promote collaboration with local government units (LGUs) to streamline and maximize the implementation of mining company SDG programs to better complement local initiatives.
“Mining is inherently a temporary use of land, which means collaboration between LGUs, MGB and mining companies is crucial for planning for the future. There is opportunity for further collaboration through maximizing the CSR activities of mining companies to complement the programs of the LGUs in line with their local development goals,” Bravo added.
Environmental protection programs
Under SDG 15, PNIA members’ progressive rehabilitation and other initiatives aim to minimize and mitigate their operations’ impact on the environment. In 2023, members planted over 4.3 million trees in nearly 9,500 hectares, comprising 76 different species, bringing the total to nearly 18 million trees to date of reporting.
PNIA also partnered with academic institutions like the University of the Philippines Los Baños to foster innovation in forest restoration and bioremediation apart from being involved in coastal clean-ups and river system adoption.
Poverty alleviation and healthcare support
For efforts under SDG 1, PNIA members have focused on uplifting communities through employment, education and infrastructure development. Companies have provided livelihood programs that created job opportunities while also offering educational initiatives through scholarships and improved classroom infrastructure for different school levels.
As support for SDG 3, PNIA members’ health initiatives have delivered essential medical supplies and equipment to underserved communities through medical missions and feeding programs while also upgrading local hospitals’ facilities.
Infrastructure development
“Investing P4.3 billion in 2023 strengthens local economies and aligns with government directives on the role of mining in promoting national economic development and local community resilience, contributing to improved lives and the building of resilient communities, particularly in remote areas where economic opportunities are limited,” Bravo further said.
In addition, PNIA members have also supported the construction and enhancement of public infrastructure, including roads, water facilities and community halls while also facilitating better access to essential services, enhancing transportation and promotion of economic activities by connecting communities to markets and resources.
Leading carbon management initiatives
Meanwhile, Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) said in a Jan. 19, 2025 statement that it completed the inventory of its carbon emissions related to land use change, making it the first company with mining assets in the Philippines to complete such process.
NAC said the move will allow the company to set proper targets and align its programs toward achieving its Net Zero Carbon objective by 2050 and submit these targets to the Science Based Targets initiative, a global body that promotes best practices in reducing emissions anchored on climate science.
The company said the study was conducted in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), to determine the carbon emissions from land use change in its nickel mining sites.
NAC said the study involved its mines sites in Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands; Hinatuan in Surigao del Norte; Rio Tuba in Palawan; and Taganito in Claver, Surigao del Norte and was led by Dr. Florencia Pulhin.
The research calculated the amount of carbon stored in different carbon pools apart from estimating the total amount of carbon stored in the forests and soils as well as the carbon emissions of the forests and soil due to mining operations.
The study was started by UPLB in the last quarter of 2022 and was concluded in December of last year, taking more than two years of data collection and laboratory analysis.
“This initiative reflects our serious commitment towards a greener future. By partnering with UPLB – a premier academic institution – we can ensure that our baselines and targets are complete and accurate. We will continue to prove, through our operations and our programs, that responsible and sustainable mining exists,” said Jose Bayani Baylon, NAC senior vice president and chief sustainability officer.
NAC currently has six operating and two exploratory mines with interests in the country’s only two high-pressure acid leach ore processing plants. The company also has stakes in renewable energy through its subsidiary, Emerging Power Inc., which is exploring solar and geothermal power projects.