Sustainable Mine Closure and Decommissioning Program
product (GDP) and comprises 5.6 percent of the total exports 4. Conclusions and Recommendations
of the Philippines. One critical use of
Table 3. Suggestions for a Sustainable Mine
Closure and Decommissioning Program*
Responses
More participation
%
RRMI Barangays
FRC Barangays
Frequency*
%
Frequency*
in meetings and
discussions
20
66.7
27
90.0
Clear cut policies
are provided for
the program
25
83.3
26
86.7
Transparency
should be observed
in all aspects
24
80.0
25
83.3
Facilitate release of
funds for social
projects
28
93.3
Participatory
27
90.0
29
24
96.7
80.0
planning
and
implementation of
program
* Multiple Response
22
the mineral accounts is in the analysis for an appropriate
fiscal policy cconsidering its small contribution to the
economy and the contentious debate on mining and its links
with issues on land-use, environment and social
acceptability. In terms of the proposed use of mine facilities
and equipment's after mine closure and the suggestions for a
sustainable mine closure and decommissioning program in
the mining sites, Table 2 and Table 3 reflects the
respondent's views, respectively.
Table 4. Expectations from LGU to Achieve the
Sustainable Mine Closure/Decommissioning*
66.7
Responses
RRMI
Barangays
Frequency %
FRC Barangays
Frequency %
Assist and support the
planning process
15
50.0
20
Asserts that mine
company follows the
law
9
30.0
12
40.0
Prioritize
SDMP
projects from mining
company
18
60.0
15
50.0
Participates in the
process
17
56.7
19
63.3
Coordinates
with
various stakeholders
20
66.7
23
76.7
*
Multiple Response
and
The expectations from the Local Government Unit (LGU)
to achieve a sustainable mine closure
decommissioning plan or mechanism was also asked and
majority of the answers of the respondents covering the
two mining sites focused on the coordination with various
stakeholders, to assist and support the closure planning
process and the prioritization of the SDMP projects as
reflected in Table 4. Although these were emphasized prior
to the FMRDP, some respondents however, may not be
familiar of the rightful process for the sustainable closure
and decommissioning but are aware of how things can be
properly managed.
Assessment result showed that in both Rapu-Rapu and
Aroroy mining sites are compliant with the provisions of the
Philippine Mining Act 1995, however, much has to be
desired in terms of stakeholder participation and community
engagements for sustainability at the start of planning for
operations to have a proactive perspective for the future mine
decommissioning and closure. In the case of RRMI, while it
has complied with the minimum requirements cited in the
legal provisions, such are not sustainable in terms of
economic and social continuity. This is because, what has
been laid down at the outset, prior to the closure phase
primarily focused on the SDMP project planning and
implementation and not much on the decommissioning
aspects. This features how the structures and facilities will be
able to serve in favour of the impact communities directly
and indirectly affected by mining. Facilities and
infrastructures built to support the mining operations is worth
millions of pesos, yet lesser community interventions were
undertaken to pave way to their involvement, participation
and decisions.
It is therefore recommended that the following mining
policies to achieve a sustainable decommissioning and
closure be made: 1) The development programs as an output
of the consultations and legal processes implemented to
establish the SDMP of the impact barangays should be
integrated as a development roadmap subject of the LGUs for
regular review, monitoring and evaluation; 2) Mine closure
planning must be integrated within the overall mine
operations plan, and should be integral to the operational life
cycle of a mine to include: (a) Mine Closure Planning at the
feasibility phase of mine operations, which allows mining
operations to identify future constraints and costs of mine
closure; (b) Financial provisions and assurances; (c)
stakeholder engagement and community consultation needs
to be integrated within the overall mine operations and
closure processes; (d) clear and measurable indicators are
needed to track compliance; 3) The organizational
transformation of the DENR, specifically the MGB and the
EMB of the DENR, where a regulatory structure should be
rationalized. Currently, the MGB is under the DENR, as well
as the EMB. The research strongly recommends for the
creation of another government agency like the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where the function
of which should focus on the Regulatory, Monitoring and
Evaluation of mining and other industries' operations and
activities, and for which the EMB should be a part. A
specialized Bureau, like a Mining Regulatory Authority, that
will regulate mining practices, policies and procedures
compliant to the Mining Act of 1995 and other legislative
policies and protocols. Consequently, the regulatory body
should also employ the services of soil scientists as part of
the regulatory functions on hazardous wastes brought about
by mining operations, or in close collaboration with, but not
limited to, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management and
with the Department of Agriculture to help ensure
sustainability of resources; and 4) Finally, there is a need to
thoroughly study the equitable distribution of taxes paid by
the industry to ensure the greatest possible benefit for the
host community who in most
suffer from the
consequences of environmental alteration and modifications
from mining industry.
case
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