DMCI Mining subsidiaries Berong Nickel Corporation (BNC) and Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation (ZDMC) are awaiting the results of their pending appeals with the Office of the President, even as the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) conducts a separate review of the 28 mine sites ordered suspended or closed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

BNC received its suspension order in June 2016. ZDMC received its suspension order in July 2016 and closure notice in February 2017.

Early this year, BNC and ZDMC each filed two appeals with the Office of the President, one to question the suspension/closure order and another to dispute the order to put up a P2 million rehabilitation fund for every hectare of land disturbed by the companies.

The Office of the President has since issued a stay order on the contested rehabilitation fund, pending the resolution of the suspension and closure orders appeals.

BNC and ZDMC were also required to each put up a surety bond equivalent to P5 million, to allow them to ship out their ore stockpile.

Ore stockpiles pose environmental hazards especially during rainy season because of the potential buildup of silt in nearby bodies of water. In a March 6 memorandum, DENR allowed suspended miners to ship out their ore inventory to prevent such hazards.

“The Office of the President lifted the suspension order of another miner last month so we’re hopeful that the appeals of BNC and ZDMC will also be resolved soon,” said DMCI Mining president Cesar F. Simbulan.

In a decision dated October 12, the Office of the President lifted the suspension order on Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co., which was given six months to “implement appropriate mitigating measures” and pay applicable fines to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Environmental Management Bureau.

MICC has disclosed that it will issue preliminary results of its review by January next year, with a final report expected around March.