The Philippines has rich mineral resources with a combined value of up to $1 trillion, which could be a unique opportunity for the country to become a global leader in sustainable mining once properly managed, foreign mining experts said.

And these mineral reserves, based on the discussion in a forum in Makati City organized by the Embassy of Sweden and Business Sweden, are vital to the manufacture of chip-driven gadgets and electric vehicle batteries.

These include gold, copper and nickel.

But such uch opportunity has prompted Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga to call on the mining industry to continue  improving ways to protect the environment as she cited the adverse effects of climate change. 

Loyzaga stressed that the mining industry must always find ways to rethink, invent, and innovate the ways it develops the country’s natural resources, and must evolve to align with the principles of sustainability, stewardship and resilience. 

“Our nation is at a pivotal juncture where the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection has never been more pressing. And while climate change has increased the complexity of risk across different scales and sectors, it also now represents opportunities for reform in this particular sector and industry,” said Loyzaga.

“The Philippines must leverage its natural wealth responsibly and equitably while ensuring that the socio-economic benefits of mining extend to all Filipinos, especially to the communities that host mining operations and those beyond,” she added.

In a forum with the theme "Pioneering the Green Transition: Advancing Sustainable Mining," one of the issues discussed was the needed collaboration that is crucial to advancing Philippine Development Goals and international commitments made to the Paris Agreement, Convention on Biodiversity, Sustainable Development Goals, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, among others.

Loyzaga said the collaboration includes investing in science and technology and in integrating social and ecological considerations into the mining operations, promoting biodiversity, as well, reducing carbon footprints, and implementing effective waste management practices. 

“These must not just be part of our regulatory requirements but must now become essential elements of a progressive and responsible mining sector,” said Loyzaga.

In the same forum, Loyzaga also highlighted that biodiversity protection, low carbon development, and the implementation of the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) are critical areas for the green transition of the mining industry.                                              

To protect biodiversity, she said DENR Administrative Order No. 2022-04 mandates comprehensive guidelines to protect and conserve biodiversity in mining operations by emphasizing the integration of biodiversity management plans into mining practices to ensure conservation.

The order reflects the DENR’s commitment to ensuring that this is not just a regulatory requirement but a fundamental component of mining operations.          

To transition to a low carbon future, Loyzaga said the DENR is directing its policies towards the adoption of low-carbon technologies and practices and nature-based solutions in mining operations. 

“Beyond enhancing energy efficiency and investing in renewable energy, this will include a more strategic mining forest program to address climate risks in the country,” said Loyzaga.

As of May 2024, over 55 million seedlings have been planted by mining companies in over 50,000 mined-out areas with a survival rate of close to 90 percent. These trees can decrease the vulnerability of host and nearby communities.

Additionally, the PENCAS Law mandates measuring the true value of the country’s natural resources and ecosystems, including minerals, to socio-economic development, and includes addressing the impacts on ecosystems by adopting the mitigation hierarchy in mining operations which follows the steps of avoidance, minimization, restoration, and offsetting compensation for affected communities.

“In this regard, we have a very keen interest in learning today from Sweden’s long history and experience in promoting scientific advancement, transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the mining sector,” said Loyzaga.

The Philippines’ partnership with Sweden will pave the way towards achieving the greatest net positive impact today and in the future, so that we may, in fact, win this race to resilience, this race to a low carbon, and possibly net zero environment and the race to have our earth still be enjoyed by many generations to come,” she added.