2-YEAR MORATORIUM ON MINES EXPLORATION LIFTED.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lifted the moratorium on exploration permits for metallic and non-metallic mines by nullifying a portion of former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez’s first memorandum order.

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu signed the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2018- 13 on July 13, 2018, which states that, moratorium on acceptance, processing, and/or approval of Exploration Permit applications for metallic and non-metallic minerals has been lifted following the completion of the audit on all mining operations pursuant to DENR Memorandum Order No. 2016-01, or “Audit of all Operating Mines and Moratorium on new Mining Projects.”