Number of suspended Philippine nickel mines to more than double

Manila

THE Philippines deepened the shake-up of its mining industry on Wednesday, announcing that it will suspend more than 10 mines in the world's largest nickel supplier in addition to the 10 halts that have already been made.

The government is still finalising the results of an environmental audit and will make recommendations on what companies should do after their suspension, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez told reporters in Manila. She did not identify which mines were included in the latest round of suspensions, saying that full details will be issued next Monday.