The DENR is looking at pursuing additional government-led explorations targeting critical minerals due to the potential of the country’s mining sector to be an important player in the global renewable energy transition market.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under this current administration has been clear from the get-go that mining in a sustainable and responsible manner is part of government’s goals in maximizing the potentials for growth and development.
Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, in one of her earliest statements as DENR chief, said the agency is supportive of “responsible mining” especially in what the industry “can deliver to the country’s development.”
More recently, the DENR through Undersecretary Carlos Primo David, said some mineral areas will be opened for private sector investments this year.
David said the DENR is looking at pursuing additional government-led explorations targeting critical minerals due to the potential of the country’s mining sector to be an important player in the global renewable energy transition market.
David added that would-be government-led exploration will identify minerals and declare more mineralized areas for targeted critical mineral deposits such as nickel and chromium.
“We wanted to help the industry with this critical step. Before you develop, mining starts with exploration. It should be government-initiated,” David said.
The DENR said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau can also follow up on previously explored areas that were eventually left or discontinued.
The agency is seeking investors for the construction of three additional mining processing plants within the term of the current administration.
David said ideal sites are Zambales, Palawan and Caraga as these areas have the most use for them.
David said the government eyes to put up the country’s next mineral processing plant in Zambales where there are five operating nickel mining projects.
At present, the country only has two existing mineral processing plants, the Coral Bay in Rio Tuba, Palawan and the Taganito in Claver, Surigao del Norte, both of which are high pressure acid leach plants owned by Nickel Asia Corp.
The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding on the operationalization of a P280-million US-funded technical assistance on a comprehensive program that will help establish the country’s positioning as a major global value chain player in the clean energy sector.
PNIA said the program aims to maximize the country’s mineral potential and increase value addition through mineral processing.
These initiatives will make the Philippines to stand out in Southeast Asia, as investors view the region as the emerging green industry hub of the world due to its cost advantages.
PNIA represents almost 50 percent of the local nickel mining industry.
