Philippines cancels permits of four more mining projects in green campaign – by Enrico Dela Cruz (Reuters U.K. – January 18, 2017)

http://uk.reuters.com/

MANILA – The Philippines has canceled the environmental permits for four more mining projects, including one planned nickel venture, as the world’s top nickel ore supplier deepens a months-long crackdown on the resources sector.

The Southeast Asian nation has been reviewing hundreds of environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) including those granted to mines. That is separate from an environmental audit of the country’s 41 operating mines whose results are set to be released on Jan. 31.

The four revoked ECCs include one for Norwegian firm Intex Resources’ proposed $2.5-billion nickel mine on Mindoro island in the central Philippines. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez told a media briefing the project would damage the environment as it would be located on a watershed.

“Everyone there, the politicians, the church, the academe, they vehemently did not want mining there,” she said.

A member of staff at Intex’s Manila office declined to make immediate comment, saying the branch was waiting for an official response from headquarters in Norway.

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