A proposed coal mining expansion by the Daguma Agro-Minerals Inc. (DAMI) in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, will undergo a public scoping to determine the environmental impact of the project.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), will conduct the scoping for the project which is reportedly necessary to sustain the local supply of coal for power and cement plants. The said expansion’s goal is to provide a larger supply amidst the increased d price, compared to imported counterparts.
The DENR did note that the project may affect the traffic situation from the site to the port area, dust generation and wildlife disturbance, thus acknowledged the need for a proper management plan to help reduce such impacts.
In a notice posted at the EMB’s website, the scoping is set on October 8. The developer is set to discuss with the public its overview of the proposed project, and gather concerns and other relevant information.
The notice mentioned that the project is being developed with an estimated total operating cost of P500 million.
Based on the project description provided by the EMB, the project will allow DAMI to increase its annual extraction capacity from the current 3 million metric tons per year (MMTPY) to 5 MMTPY, as the company operates in 4 hectares of land, while exploring for the remaining 6 hectares.
The proposed expansion areas will be sited in sitios El Dolog, El Topok, Pulosubong, Tawan-dagat and Sigawit as well as barangay Ned in Lake Sebu.
The project description claims that the expansion project will provide employment, business opportunities, taxes, job opportunities, knowledge resources, social benefits, and permit fees to be generated from the coal mining operations of the project . This will ostensibly contribute to the economic stability of the province.
It also explained that the expansion project will have four phases including pre-development, development, operational and abandonment, noting that built-in pollution control measures will also be implemented for all said phases.
The project description also said that as soon as DAMI can secure an amendment of its existing environmental compliance certificate as well as other permits required, the increase in extraction and production capacity will be implemented.
Based on latest available data from the Department of Energy, as of 2023, the country consumed a total of 43.49 million metric tons (MT) of coal wherein 35.54 million MT was imported.
The agency said that the country also produced 16.56 million MT of coal and exported 8.06 million MT for the similar period.
