Philippines to suspend over ten more mines in environmental crackdown

The Philippines will suspend more than 10 additional mines in an on-going environmental crackdown on the sector, the minister in charge of mining said on Wednesday.

The Philippines, who is the world’s top nickel ore supplier, launched a review of the country’s 40 metallic mines on 8 July. Eight of the 10 suspended so far produced nickel ore, and the closures and the risk of more mines being shuttered lifted nickel prices to a one-year high last month.

The minister added that the announcement of who will be shut has been moved to 26 September.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez said more than 10 mines will "definitely" be suspended "because of the many violations."

“All the suspensions are absolutely due to environmental reasons, and my particular interest is the wellbeing of the community, that’s my benchmark,” Lopez said.