THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources said it hopes to remove “outdated” rules for small-scale miners a“We will be undertaking a comprehensive review of the existing legal framework mining — this will be the first area that the department will be reviewing. We are undertaking review of certain laws, they are somewhat outdated as you know,” Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said in a briefing on Wednesday.
“We are looking very closely in this Small-Scale Mining Act and what needs to be done to update it. We’re hoping that some of the large companies can help us with the social protection and environmental protection side for the small-scale miners,” she said. She said that the department hopes to announce the priority areas for review, which will take place over the next six months.
“These are where we need to concentrate because as you know there are needs as far as the Minahang Bayan process is concerned, especially in the protection of our small-scale miners. There’s also an aspect to environmental protection because as you know small-scale miners are only allowed to use certain artisanal tools,” she said.ning the areas they are allowed to operate observing DENR guidelines.