Responsible Mining: A Closer, More Intelligent Look

Screengrab from CNNPhilippines.com.

CHEERS TO CNN Philippines and the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) for looking into responsible mining in light of the designation of Gina Lopez, as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Ms. Regina Lopez, the sister of Eugenio Lopez III, has been a staunch and vocal anti-mining advocate.

On June 29, CNN Philippines’ Network News aired Claire Jiao’s report “What is responsible mining?” that looked at the ways mining firms could dispose of mine tailings safely. Among the ways mentioned are routine checks of the ponds where the waste chemicals are deposited, making sure that these don’t leak into the ground or overflow into water systems. Louie Sarmiento, president of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association, was quoted in the report as saying that responsible mining is also a matter of validating and implementing existing regulations.

Commendably, the ANC’s Dateline Philippines also devoted airtime to talk about responsible mining on July 7. Speaking to Ronald Recidoro, vice president for legal and policy matters at the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, anchor Nancy Irlanda asked how the chamber views the appointment of Lopez, who is known as an environmental activist. Irlanda also asked if the chamber intends to conduct information campaigns to help people understand responsible mining practices.

Lopez, who chairs the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, was offered the DENR post on June 20. She accepted days later, “spooking mining stocks” which went down by 4.09 percent the day after.

Mining in the Philippines is a controversial topic, given the bad reputation it has had due to terrible environmental disasters caused by some mining operations in the country.  In recent decades, leading members of the industry have increased their accountability by turning to improved technology adapted by mining companies around the world, to protect communities and safeguard the environment where they operate.

Media must provide a forum for the intelligent and fair discussion of the industry’s responsibilities and role in national development, without glossing over the potential dangers from mining’s many sins.