Strengthen mining law’s social provisions, think-tank urges

First posted 04:33am (Mla time) July 07, 2006
Inquirer

http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=8559

THE regulatory framework for the mining industry is comprehensive and stringent enough to promote sustainable development, but its implementation is weak, a university-based think-tank said.

Achieving and sustaining a development agenda in the mining sector rested in “strict adherence, vigilance and effective implementation of mining laws, which at present is rather weak,” said Colin Hubo of the University of Asia and the Pacific’s Center for Social Responsibility.

A study titled “Rapid assessment of the sustainability agenda in the mining industry” by the think-tank study showed mining companies were facing growing risks because of increasing public awareness about sustainability-related issues, Hubo said.

The study covered 12 factors of sustainability: environmental accounting, impact assessments, audits, process improvements and products and services; clean production methods; freedom of information; local economic growth; stakeholder engagement; human resource management; governance and management; and community development.

Hubo said that while the growth of the areas that host mining projects was not yet apparent, all the other factors were adequately provided for through laws, executive orders, plans and policies.

“There appears to be a need for structured approach in understanding complex social justice issues in mining, especially those on ethnicity, class, gender and corruption,” he said.
“Policies related to mine closures, decommissioning or rehabilitation are biased toward environmental, safety and health issues,” he added.

The study recommends strengthening the social provisions of the regulatory framework on mining and development of a framework on consultations with stakeholders, resolution of grievances, and development activities in closed mining sites.

“There must be a rethinking of government strategies to promote mining through new ideas, new faces and young blood,” Hubo said.

“Also, reforms in mining agencies must be instituted to promote transparency and accountability,” he said.

Officials of Canadian-affiliated TVI Resources Development Inc. and Australia’s Indophil Resources (Philippines) Inc. said their companies were taking steps toward responsible mining mainly through partnerships with government agencies, local communities and even nongovernmental organizations.

The officials said the entire industry should strive harder to establish better relations with stakeholders, considering that mining firms were not well-liked especially after the Lafayette incident.

The industry came under fire after a project of Australian firm Lafayette Philippines Inc. on Rapu-Rapu Island, southeast of Manila, caused mine tailing contamination and, allegedly, fish kills.

With INQ7.net