Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) is targeting the second half of 2025 to secure an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for its planned expansion of the Acacia coal mine.
Speaking during the company’s virtual annual stockholders meeting, SMPC president and chief operating officer Maria Cristina Gotianun emphasized that regulatory compliance remains central to the project’s timeline. “We expect to receive the ECC for the Acacia mine from the DENR within the second half of 2025,” said Gotianun, who also serves as chief sustainability officer. “Exploration and pre-stripping activities are currently underway, with production targeted to begin within 2026.”
The proposed expansion is intended to continue SMPC’s coal operations in line with the depletion of its existing Molave and Narra pits. The Molave pit concluded operations in November 2023, while the Narra pit is expected to reach its end-of-mine life by 2026.
In line with its environmental commitments, SMPC is also developing an artificial intelligence tool to strengthen carbon capture monitoring. “Initial efforts focus on analyzing forest images to support reforestation initiatives,” said Gotianun. “Near-term plans will include blue carbon initiatives to further advance our marine biodiversity restoration efforts.”
SMPC, the country’s only vertically integrated energy company that mines its own fuel, reported a net income of P4.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025—down 33 percent from P6.5 billion year-on-year. The decline was attributed to lower coal selling prices, partially offset by a stronger performance in the power generation segment.
Coal output rose by 16 percent to 5.7 million metric tons due to improved seam access at the Narra mine. However, average selling prices fell 17 percent amid market normalization and a higher mix of lower-grade coal. In power, generation grew 9 percent to 1,535 GWh, with sales rising 11 percent to 1,427 GWh—64 percent of which went to the spot market.
