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Impact of Mining on Philippine Habitats

President Duterte lifted a ban on new mining licenses in the Philippines, reversing a 2017 ban on open-pit mining due to environmental violations. While mining provides economic benefits like jobs and tax revenue, it can severely damage the environment through pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. The document argues that large-scale mining's environmental and health impacts on Filipino communities outweigh its economic gains, especially as many benefits accrue to foreign companies like China rather than the Philippines. Past mining disasters in the Philippines like in Marinduque show mining companies have failed to prevent pollution or provide compensation, setting a concerning precedent for Duterte's policy reversal.

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44 views7 pages

Impact of Mining on Philippine Habitats

President Duterte lifted a ban on new mining licenses in the Philippines, reversing a 2017 ban on open-pit mining due to environmental violations. While mining provides economic benefits like jobs and tax revenue, it can severely damage the environment through pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. The document argues that large-scale mining's environmental and health impacts on Filipino communities outweigh its economic gains, especially as many benefits accrue to foreign companies like China rather than the Philippines. Past mining disasters in the Philippines like in Marinduque show mining companies have failed to prevent pollution or provide compensation, setting a concerning precedent for Duterte's policy reversal.

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“President Rodrigo Duterte has lifted a ban on issuing licenses for new mining operations in the

Philippines, marking an about-face from a previous anti-mining stance that saw him ban open-pit mining
in 2017 and close or suspend 26 mining operations for environmental violations.”(Chavez 2021).
Mining is widely regarded as having adverse effects on the environment of both magnitude and
diversity. Some of these effects include erosion, formation of sinkholes, biodiversity loss, and
contamination of groundwater by chemicals from the mining process in general and open-pit mining in
particular. As such, a repeatable process to evaluate these effects primarily aims to diminish them. For
this paper, I will evaluate the benefits and the harmful effects of the President’s decision upon lifting the
ban permits of Open-pit mining in the Philippines.

I do understand his reasoning behind the decision that he has concluded for the country’s
economic breakdown in order to revive from the COVID-19 pandemic. I have come to the realization that
mining was, and still is, extremely beneficial; especially from the latest advancements of technology,
requiring many minerals such as gold, copper, silver, etc., to later promote and improve the modernized
future in technical knowledge in telecommunications. Mining is first and foremost a source of mineral
commodities that all countries find essential for maintaining and improving their standards of living.
Mined materials are necessary to construct roads and hospitals, build automobiles and houses, make
computers and satellites, generate electricity, and provide the many other goods and services that
consumers enjoy. In addition, mining is economically important to producing regions and countries. It
provides employment, dividends, and taxes that pay for hospitals, schools, and public facilities. The
mining industry produces a trained workforce and small businesses that can service communities and may
initiate related businesses. Mining also yields foreign exchange and accounts for a significant portion of
gross domestic product. Mining fosters a number of associated activities, such as manufacturing of
mining equipment, provision of engineering and environmental services, and the development of world-
class universities in the fields of geology, mining engineering, and metallurgy. The economic
opportunities and wealth generated by mining for many producing countries are substantial.

It was also stated in the article that this could efficiently subsidize unemployed workers, who
were unemployed due to the pandemic. Bringing back the data presented from the Mines and Geosciences
Bureau (MGB) that some 190,000 people were employed in the mining sector before the pandemic even
began. This solution could benefit the people involved, as it could give them a newfound opportunity to
sustain their families during these unprecedented times.

While mining industry revenue contributed just 0.76% of the Philippines’ GDP in 2020,
according to the Philippine Statistics Office, the government expects an increase in earnings from excise
tax collections. It attributes this to the Tax Reform for Acceleration of Inclusion (TRAIN) Act passed in
2017, which “doubled the rate of excise tax on minerals, mineral products and quarry resources from 2%
to 4%.” According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), The Philippine Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) posted a growth of 11.8 percent in the second quarter of 2021. This was the highest since the
fourth quarter of 1988 which posted a growth of 12.0 percent. The main contributors to the growth, with
their corresponding increase, were: Manufacturing, 22.3 percent; Construction, 25.7 percent; and
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, 5.4 percent. Specifically for the
mining sector, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has also stated that the mining sector accounted
for P102.3 billion, equivalent to 0.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2020. “Meanwhile, the
minerals industry contributed about P25.5 billion in national and local taxes, fees, and royalties. The
mining sector has allocated P379 billion for the implementation of the Environmental Protection and
Enhancement Program as of December 2020,” (MGB, 2021). Despite the inflictions it has instigated on
the Philippines ’ environment and biodiversity, it does play an important role in the country’s economic
development. Most of the sector’s contribution only supplies through the country’s foreign exchange
earnings through exports. This has been reinforced through a statement in the article that Indonesia has
imposed an export ban on metal in January 2020, despite the country being entitled as the ‘World’s
biggest nickel producer’. The Philippines, being ranked 2, stepped in to fill the nickel demand from
China, exporting 333, 962 tons a year.

But, I should think about this logically. Henceforth, I have chosen to be a part of the anti-mining
community; against what the President has decided. As it may occur, mining processes can cause various
environmental problems, including deforestation, soil erosion, destruction of the natural landscape,
landslides, water-level reduction, and surface water depletion through dewatering, as well as water and
soil pollution from mining waste and tailing dust. Through natural weathering processes driven by rain
and wind, waste rocks and overburden can be direct sources of pollution. Large-scale mining is
destructive as it uses the method of open-pit mining which entails clearing thousands of hectares of
rainforests and agricultural lands, deep excavations to extract minerals, the use of toxic heavy metals and
chemicals to process mineral ores, and the consumption of millions of liters of water – all of which
negatively impact the lives of the Filipino citizens with the grave disregard for their right to health, life,
food security, livelihood, and a clean environment.

In addition, Destruction of the habitat is the main component of biodiversity losses, but direct
poisoning caused by mine-extracted material, and indirect poisoning through food and water, can also
affect animals, vegetation, and microorganisms. Destruction or slight modification of their habitat put
them at the risk of extinction. Water can potentially transfer any chemicals used in mining a great
distance from the mine itself. These same chemicals are going to affect the surrounding soils. Changes in
the soil may lead to changes in the surrounding flora and the local extinction of some plant species.

The Philippines is characterized by a high population density (approximately 270 people per
km2), with most communities having access to roads and other infrastructure. Indigenous peoples make
up 16 percent of the population (CIPRAD, 1999) and their rights were only recently recognized formally
through the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) and the establishment of ancestral domains. More
than half (56 percent) of all exploration areas and mining leases overlap with areas of high ecological
vulnerability. Activities such as Geophysical or Airborne surveying, Drilling, Trench blasting, Road
construction, Exploration camp development, Mine construction, Blasting to release ores, Milling or
Grinding of the ores, Chemical leaching or concentration of the ore, Smelting or refining, Creation of
waste rock stockpiles, etc., can potentially impact: habitat loss or fragmentation, disturbance to wildlife,
spills of fuels and other contaminants that could possibly pollute the water and the soil causing chemical
contamination, species loss due to hunting, toxicity impacts to organisms, Altered landscapes, Dust or
fumes from explosives that can harm nearby animals, noise disturbance, Discharging chemical wastes to
surface waters to persistent contamination in the area, etc. Such things can conclude in the loss of
vegetation or biodiversity and abandoned pits or shafts that pose hazards and health risks to humans and
other animals.

“This support to more mining projects will encourage more Chinese investments to extract nickel,
black sand, and copper minerals here in the Philippines,” “All these will only benefit Chinese demands
and not Philippine industrialization.” (Mina, 2021). I have to agree with her statement here. Adding to the
battle of the ownership of the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, that area is private ownership
over part of the Spratlies was claimed in 1956 by a Filipino. The claim was based on his alleged
discovery of the islands. ‘Til then, the war of ownership still stands, despite China knowing the rich
biodiversity existing in that area. Only to use it for personal and damaging gain to boost their own
economy. And what’s not left for the Philippines? Only to be left behind by the impactful, economic rise
by China.

In Quezon City, The sorrow grows deeper as we stand in solidarity with the people of
Marinduque, who are commemorating as well the 25th anniversary of the Marcopper Mining Tragedy
that devastated the province. To re-call this tragic and irresponsible event, Marcopper mines dumped an
estimated 200 million tons of toxic tailings into Calancan Bay between 1975-1991. On March 24, 1996, a
fracture in the drainage tunnel of Marcopper’s Tapian pit spilled more than 1.6 million cubic meters of
toxic mine tailings, flooding villages and poisoning the Boac River. However, three years before that, the
company’s Maguila-guila siltation dam also burst, flooding the town of Mogpog, where two children
drowned in the mine waste. Justice remains elusive for the Marinduquenos, as Mogpog and Boac rivers
remain biologically dead. Calancan Bay is still unhealthy for swimming or harvesting its aquatic
products. Health problems of directly individuals by the mine spill remain unaddressed. The ordinary
farmers as well as the provincial government of Marinduque have not been compensated. Those who
have bravely filed cases against Marcopper are dwindling, facing their deaths but failed to see justice.

“The Mining Act provides auxiliary rights to mines that allow them to cut timber, deplete water,
and ‘ease out’ communities away from their lands,” “As part of its investment guarantees, the Mining Act
commits the government to ensure the removal of obstacles to mining, and that includes conflicting land
uses such as agricultural lands and communities.” (Dulce 2021) This act strengthens the role of local
government units in mining projects both as beneficiaries and as active participants in mineral resource
management, consistent with the provisions of the constitution and government policies on local
autonomy and empowerment.

There's no such thing as "responsible mining," (Balome, 2018). Responsible mining is commonly
defined as mining that involves and respects all stakeholders, minimizes and takes account of its
environmental impact, and prioritizes a fair division of economic and financial benefits. Mining activities
in the Philippines are regarded by most people with attitudes ranging from skepticism to outright hostility.
Unfortunately, there is some justification for that; years of poorly regulated mining in remote areas have
scarred both the land and communities.
The Philippines is inadequate for mining as it is one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries of the
world, containing two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and between 70% and 80% of the world’s plant
and animal species. The country ranks fifth in the number of plant species and maintains 5% of the
world’s flora. This unique biodiversity is supported by a large variety of ecosystems, landscapes, and
habitats, most of which are also greatly threatened by human activities. It’s very shameful that all of these
are harmed for boosting only the economy and industrialization that surrounds it. I say people should just
live on to the title and keep the Philippines’ natural biodiversity alive. In this modernized world, it's hard
to see plants, gardens, trees that have naturally resided between all these massive skyscrapers and factory
fumes. Yes, what they are doing will benefit the country and its society economically, but everyone
should be reminded that the plants provide the oxygen we breathe; continuously harming these could
potentially lead to the extinction of humanity. And as of now, that conclusion seems to be dawning near.

RESOURCES:

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mining permits. Mongabay Environmental News. [Link]
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Stewart, A.G. Mining is bad for health: a voyage of discovery. Environ Geochem Health 42,
1153–1165 (2020). [Link]
Monjezi M., Shahriar K., Dehgani H., Samimi Namin F., Environmental impact assessment of
open-pit mining. (2009, July). NASA/ADS.
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National Research Council. 2002. Evolutionary and Revolutionary Technologies for Mining.
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. [Link]
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2002). GDP posted double-digit growth of 11.8 percent in the
second quarter of 2021, the highest since fourth quarter of 1988. Philippine Statistics Authority |
Republic of the Philippines. [Link]
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BusinessWorld. [Link]
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T. Mina, A. (2018). ATM Statement: Mining and pandemics: The continuing burden and
suffering of Filipinos. Alyansa Tigil Mina. [Link]
R. Raymundo, D. R. (2014, March 6). The Philippine Mining Act of 1995: Is the law sufficient in
achieving the goals of output growth, attracting foreign investment, environmental protection and
preserving sovereignty? DLSU Research Congress 2014.
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Park, C.-. (2009, November 16). The south china sea disputes: Who owns the islands and the
natural resources? Taylor & Francis Online.
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%20ownership%20over%20part%20of,hold%20part%20of%20the%20Spratlies.
Miranda, M., Burris, P., Bingcang, J. F., Shearman, P., Briones, J. O., La Viña, A., Menard, S.,
Kool, J., Miclat, S., Mooney, C., & Resueño, A. (2003). Mining and critical ecosystems: Mapping the
risks. World Resources Institute. [Link]
M. , K. (2016, April 16). How does mining affect biodiversity. Socratic.
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Wikipedia contributors. (2021, October 4). Environmental effects of mining. Wikipedia.
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Yang, A. Y. (2018, June 9). Anti-mining advocates push for “rights of nature” law. Rappler.
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Philippines - Main Details. (2015). Convention on Biological Diversity.
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Park, J., Kwon, E., Chung, E., Kim, H., Battogtokh, B., & Woo, N. (2019, December 27).
Environmental Sustainability of Open-Pit Coal Mining Practices. MDPI. [Link]
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Common questions

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Expanding mining operations in the Philippines presents significant economic benefits such as job creation, increased tax revenue, and contributions to GDP growth . The sector offers economic opportunities that are vital for national development, particularly during periods of economic recovery, like post-pandemic scenarios . However, these economic gains are often offset by substantial environmental costs, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, water contamination, and health hazards to local communities because of pollution and habitat destruction . Thus, while the economic benefits are substantial, they must be weighed against the irreversible environmental damage and social costs, emphasizing the need for sustainable and responsible mining practices .

Lifting the ban on new mining permits in the Philippines can lead to a multitude of environmental impacts. Some of these include landscape destruction from open-pit mining, which requires clearing large areas of forest and agricultural land, thereby affecting biodiversity and habitat. Open-pit mining also poses significant risks of soil and water contamination due to the heavy usage of chemicals that can lead to groundwater pollution . The Marcopper Mining Tragedy is a historical example where mining operations led to severe ecological damage, illustrating the potential consequences of irresponsible mining practices . Additionally, the overlap of mining leases with ecologically vulnerable areas further exacerbates these risks .

While proponents of mining argue that economic benefits, including job creation, tax revenue, and GDP growth, outweigh environmental costs, this position is contentious given the extensive environmental degradation associated with mining practices in the Philippines. The environmental consequences, such as biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and water pollution, have long-lasting impacts on ecosystems and community health that cannot be easily mitigated or reversed . In the context of the Philippines, a country with high ecological value and biodiversity, these environmental costs are profound, potentially undermining the very foundations of ecological resilience needed for long-term sustainable development . Thus, the argument fails to account for the intrinsic and often irreversible value of maintaining environmental integrity for current and future generations .

The social implications of mining on indigenous and local communities in the Philippines are significant. Mining activities often occur on lands that overlap with indigenous peoples' ancestral domains, leading to displacement and disruption of traditional livelihoods . The Philippine Mining Act's facilitation of mining operations sometimes leads to 'easing out' communities from their lands, which can result in social conflict and marginalization of these groups . Additionally, the legacy of incidents like the Marcopper Mining Tragedy highlights ongoing health issues and lack of adequate compensation for affected communities, reflecting broader challenges in ensuring social justice and equitable resource management .

The TRAIN Act has increased the mining industry's contribution to the Philippine economy by doubling the excise tax on minerals, mineral products, and quarry resources from 2% to 4% . This increase is expected to boost government revenues from mining, thereby contributing more significantly to national and local economies. The additional revenue from these taxes can potentially be used to fund public services and development projects, further integrating the mining sector into the broader economic framework of the Philippines . Yet, the actual impact on sector growth is challenging to gauge in isolation, as it depends on how revenues are allocated and the environmental costs of increased extraction activities .

Mining in the Philippines negatively impacts biodiversity by causing habitat destruction, soil and water pollution, and altering landscapes . Activities such as open-pit mining lead to deforestation and habitat fragmentation, while the use of toxic chemicals contaminates water sources and soil, which can harm local flora and fauna. The cumulative effect of these impacts can lead to the local extinction of various plant and animal species, significant losses in biodiversity, and disrupt ecosystem functions, leading to diminished ecological resilience and altered ecosystem services in the long term .

Globalization has significantly impacted the mining industry in the Philippines by increasing foreign investment and demand for mineral resources, particularly from economically dominant countries like China. The global demand for metals, such as nickel, has driven the Philippines to fill supply gaps left by other producers like Indonesia, which have implemented export bans . This integration into the global market prioritizes the economic benefits of export revenues but simultaneously raises concerns about the local environmental and social costs of scaling up mining activities to meet international demands . The need for such export-driven production often overlooks sustainable development objectives and can exacerbate regional inequalities and resource depletion .

Mining contributes to the economic development of the Philippines by providing essential raw materials for infrastructure development, creating employment opportunities, and generating government revenue through taxes and foreign exchange from exports. The sector accounted for P102.3 billion, equivalent to 0.6% of GDP growth in 2020, with significant contributions in national and local taxes, fees, and royalties . The employment in the mining sector provides livelihoods, especially amidst economic challenges such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic .

The 1995 Philippine Mining Act plays a dual role by promoting mining activities while also attempting to address environmental concerns. On one hand, it provides auxiliary rights to mines, facilitating extraction activities by permitting cutting timber and depleting water resources, thus encouraging investment and growth in the mining sector . However, it also mandates environmental protection programs and encourages the involvement of local government units in mineral resource management, aiming to mitigate the negative environmental impacts . Despite these provisions, critics argue that the Act prioritizes economic gains over environmental sustainability and has led to ongoing environmental degradation and social conflict, as demonstrated by ongoing issues like the Marcopper incident .

The Marcopper Mining Tragedy offers critical lessons on the importance of stringent regulatory practices and their enforcement in the mining sector. The disaster exposed significant regulatory failures, including inadequate oversight of mining operations and lack of preventative measures to manage mining waste and tailings properly . It highlights the necessity for robust legal frameworks that prioritize environmental protection and community health. Additionally, the ongoing struggles for compensation and environmental rehabilitation underscore the need for effective enforcement mechanisms and accountability measures to ensure mining companies adhere to responsible practices and remediate damages .

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