Mining in the Philippines: concerns and conflicts

This report explores the effects of mining in the Philippines. The report argues that mining in the Philippines is being developed at a speed and in a manner likely to cause massive long-term environmental damage and social problems.

The report finds that:

• current mining plans will undermine the Government’s own strategy for sustainable development by destroying or severely damaging critical eco-systems, including watersheds, rivers, marine eco-systems and important agricultural production areas
• implementation of the proposed mining plan will bring insufficient benefits to the Filipino people
• corruption is a serious problem in the Philippines and it can be expected that plans for extensive mining operations in remote areas requiring licensing, regulation and monitoring will make it worse
• the Philippines currently faces a crisis of extra-judicial killings. More than 700 activists – including civil rights and environmental advocates – have been killed since the current administration came to power in 2001.

The report recommends that:

• the Philippine government should cancel all current mining applications that will inevitably cause major environmental damage to critical watersheds, eco-systems, agriculture or fisheries and result in social disruption
• the Philippine government should revoke the Mining Act of 1995 and enact alternative legislation that more effectively protects the interests of the affected local communities, indigenous peoples and the environment
• the World Bank Group should halt its promotion and support for mining expansion in the Philippines under current conditions
• all mining projects should be inspected by reputable independent organisations before investment.