The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is proposing for the automatic renewal of the exploration period and the timely declaration of mining project feasibility of exploration permits and similar mining tenements.
“(This policy) is in the process of publication. In the next couple of days, this will be released. This is to ensure the continuous conduct of exploration activities by all permittees, contractors and holders of mining tenements to ensure the timely filing of the declaration of mining project feasibility,” said Danilo Deleña, officer-in-charge of the mining tenements management division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
In a stakeholders’ forum yesterday, Deleña said the policy would cover all exploration permits, mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs) as well as financial or technical assistance agreements (FTAAs) under exploration stage but will not be retroactive.
“(Mining companies) would be filing mandatory requirements in the MGB central office.
(For) exploration permits, they would only need to submit their requirements and pay for the renewal fee before an evaluation. If everything is in order, we would be endorsing it to the MGB director for his approval. Same is true for exploration period under MPSA,” Deleña said.
He said the companies will be assessed to determine whether or not their contractors are qualified to conduct exploration activities.
Deleña said mining projects issued permits prior to the issuance of the ban on open pit mining for copper, gold, silver and other ores will not be affected by this proposed policy.
At present, exploration permits are only effective for a period of two years from the date of issuance and can be extended as long as these do w not exceed a total term of four years for non-metallic minerals and six years for metallic minerals.
