Philippines cancels environmental permits of three mines: minister

[MANILA] The Philippine government has cancelled the environmental compliance certificates (ECC) of three mines, including two nickel producers, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez said on Thursday.

The agency is reviewing hundreds of ECCs granted by previous governments including those granted to mines in a crackdown on environmental degradation. The Philippines is the world's top nickel ore supplier.

That is a separate review from an environmental audit of the country's 41 mines completed in August and the full results of which, Ms Lopez said, would be released in January.

Ten mines have been halted so far and another 20 face suspension. "We will announce the decision in January, probably around the second week," Ms Lopez told a media briefing.

REUTERS