DMCI Mining Corporation reduced its workforce by 62 percent in the first nine months of the year on account of the protracted suspension of its mining units in Palawan and Zambales.

From 550, the nickel producer reduced its manpower complement to 207. This does not include the thousands of seasonal workers hired during production ramp up.

Subsidiary Berong Nickel Corporation (BNC) received a suspension order from the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) in June this year due to the alleged discoloration of Barangay Berong’s river system and tributaries.

The following month, Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation was served a suspension order due to “social issues”.

“Our hands are tied. We have no choice but to let go of most of our workers,” said DMCI Mining president Cesar F. Simbulan, Jr.

“We are trying to retain as many people as possible by assigning them to our environmental rehabilitation sites. But mine rehabilitation is not as labor intensive as nickel production so we simply cannot absorb all of them,” added Simbulan.

In August, BNC employees staged a silent protest in front of the Provincial Capitol of Palawan, to urge the Provincial Government to help lift the suspension.

The employees, local residents and a group of indigenous peoples also submitted written appeals to President Rodrigo Duterte, seeking the reopening of the mine because "many lives depend on it."

Over 1,500 residents and employees and 424 indigenous peoples (IP) signed the letters.

“We regularly communicate with our host communities and other stakeholders to update them on the situation. They know that we are doing our best to reopen the mine sites,” said Simbulan.

According to DMCI Mining, they have submitted additional documentation to DENR to support their appeal to lift the suspensions.

“At this point, we can only hope that they appreciate the merits and facts we presented. We firmly believe that our operations uphold the principles and practices of responsible mining,” added Simbulan.