Guidelines for additional environmental measures for operating surface metallic mines (DENR Administrative Order 2018-19)

With this order, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources aimed to ensure sustainable environmental conditions in surface metallic mines throughout mining operations. To this end, it provided additional environmental measures, such as soil stripping, buffer zone management, restrictions on pier stockyards as temporary stockpile area for ore shipment, and maximum disturbed area for nickel mines. For nickel mines in particular, temporary revegetation and progressive rehabilitation are required. 

To guarantee compliance, mining companies must post a performance bond of 5 million PHP (approximately 86,000 USD as of September 2022) and will be penalised and fined for every violation. After the third offence of non-implementation of revegetation provisions, all permits of the company will be cancelled.

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