History of Mining in Zambales

In 2012, the Movement for the Protection of the Environment (Move Now!) along with
farmer and activist groups discovered the negative effects of mining in Sta. Cruz Zambales. As
cited in The Manila Times article by Katrina Stuart Santiago on February 16, 2017: rivers and
creeks were stagnant with orange-red water, and whatever fish they catch was infected; rice
farms that could produce 70 to 100 cavans per hectare twice or thrice a year, went down to 30 to
50 cavans; irrigation with red water produces hard-as-cement soil that renders the farm
unproductive (Bulatlat.com, March 21, 2012). The Move Now! report states that “The forests in
the Sta. Cruz mountains are now totally wiped out, <…> the water from pumps cause skin
diseases and is not potable” (Punto Central Luzon, May 19, 2012).
These were just some of the adverse effects brought about by the mining activities in the
community of Sta. Cruz Zambales but that didn’t stop there. LNL Archipelago Minerals, one of
the mines listed by Move Now!, was even engaged in cutting mountain trees and leveling as well
as leveling a mountain (Santiago, 2017).
Fast forward to October 2015, Typhoon Lando caused the flooding of red mud in
Zambales. According to the October 25, 2015 report by Human Rights Online, Concerned
Citizens of Sta. Cruz, Zambales’ Benito Molino stated that “With the rain that poured in our
province, flooding was highly possible, but the volume of red mud is a different case. We think
nickel laterite may have mixed with the waters that flood parts of the province now. This is the
second time that we experienced this, the first time was in July when some of the dams of mining
companies were destroyed and flooded our rivers. We’ve had these kinds of problems since
mining started in 2011” (Santiago, 2017).
Due to these adverse effects, the community worked together to put a stop to the mines
causing these unfortunate mishaps. Actions such as Center for Environmental Concerns releasing
the results of its fact-finding mission done after the October 2015 flooding as well as the
Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz, Zambales filing for a writ of kalikasan against some of the
mines operating in their community such as Benguet Corp, Eramen, LNL, and Zambales
Diversified were just some. Almost a year after the October 2015 flooding, then DENR Secretary
Gina Lopez ordered the suspension of Benguet Corp and Zambales Diversified’s licenses in July
2016 as a result of the community outcry (Santiago, 2017).

Mining’s Adverse Effects Continue

Alyansa Tigil Mina released a statement to The Manila Times back in 2018, stating that
destructive nickel mining operations in Sta Cruz, Zambales have resulted in an annual loss of
around P250 million to the livelihood of farmers and fishermen in the area (Roxas, 2018). They
have attributed the loss to contamination of irrigation waters, river siltation and flooding with
four large scale mining companies being touted as the reasons for the said adverse effects.
Among these companies are Zambales Diversified Metals Corp, Benguet Corp Nickel Mines
Inc., LNL Archipelagic Mining Inc. and Eramen Minerals Inc. In this 2018 statement, Alyansa
Tigil Mina elaborated that the aforementioned mining companies have continued to operate
despite cancelation orders by former Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Secretary Gina Lopez.

Prevention Measures
Pursuant to the above problems facing the environment, the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources conducted a mine review for companies that were ordered closed or
suspended. Thirteen companies were reviewed but only one made passed, three were closed
while nine which included Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. were suspended (Ocampo, 2018).

Lifting of Suspension
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau recommended the lifting of the suspension for two
mines which were included in the list of suspended mines back in 2018, namely Zambales
Diversified Metals Corp. and Strong Built Mining Development Corp. for complying with
corrective measures imposed upon them. Prior to this, Berong Nickel Corp., Carrascal Nickel
Corp. and Emir Mineral Resources Corp.’s suspensions were also lifted when they were able to
comply with environmental and safety standards.
Environment Undersecretary for Climate Change and Mining Concerns, Analiza R. Teh,
says: “We need to develop public confidence in them. Talagang kaya ba natin ang [Can we really
do] responsible mining? We are more focused on that. We would like to strengthen our
monitoring and enforcement capabilities, so that we can really make sure that the mining
companies will be able to comply with the provisions regarding the environmental requirements”
(Galang, 2019).

No Future in Mining?
However, Alyansa Tigil Mina recently released a statement that there’s no future in
mining and that the only reality we’re facing is the adverse effect brought about by large scale
mining activities. The alliance is demanding the closure and suspension of 26 mining operations
covered by administrative orders issued by former DENR Sec. Gina Lopez last February 2017.
They contend that the mining operations have violated environmental laws, particularly the
Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7942).
The aforementioned alliance also stated that “Pres. Duterte must also immediately issue
an Executive Order to ban open-pit mining in the Philippines, if the country wants to preserve its
water, food and biodiversity. This action becomes more imperative in the context of climate
change. This has been a campaign promise and stated in his previous SONAs” (Human Rights
Online Philippines, 2019). They also demanded that the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources’ processing and approval of mining permits and contracts should be transparent by
informing the local governments and affected communities.

References:
1. Santiago, K. (2017). Zambales mines: A history of questionable practices. Retrieved
from: https://www.manilatimes.net/2017/02/16/opinion/columnists/topanalysis/zambales-
mines-history-questionable-practices/312506/312506/
2. Roxas, P (2018). Zambales loses P250M livelihood to mining. Retrieved from:
https://www.manilatimes.net/2018/01/07/news/regions/zambales-loses-p250m-
livelihood-mining/372858/
3. Ocampo, K. (2018). Mine closures, suspensions affirmed. Retrieved from:
https://business.inquirer.net/260687/mine-closures-suspensions-affirmed
4. Galang, V. (2019). MGB recommends lifting suspension of 2 mines. Retrieved from:
https://www.bworldonline.com/mgb-recommends-lifting-suspension-of-2-mines/
5. Human Rights Online Philippines. (2019). There is no future in mining –ATM. Retrieved
from: https://hronlineph.com/2019/09/12/statement-there-is-no-future-in-mining-atm/