The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced plans to offer at least 50 mining assets with expired or cancelled contracts for competitive bidding, starting as early as next month.
DENR undersecretary Carlos Primo David said this move aims to select the best companies to develop the assets while ensuring good offers for the government. To attract serious investors, bidders will be required to submit a bid bond.
The bidding process will consider both the financial and technical capabilities of applicants. Some assets are still for exploration, carrying higher risks, while others have proven reserves and may fetch higher bids.
David added that the DENR will strictly enforce the “use it or lose it” policy on mining tenements to encourage development of unused mineral assets. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) will handle the bidding and oversee policy enforcement.
The DENR also aims to protect mining investments from sudden changes in local policies, such as zoning bans or fiscal changes. Efforts are underway to standardize how royalties for indigenous communities are calculated, as current rates vary widely.
At the same event, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) assured cooperation with DENR and local governments to strengthen the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process. NCIP Commissioner Marie Grace Pascua emphasized the need for responsible mining that respects indigenous leadership and cultural values, noting that over 70 percent of the country’s mineral resources lie within ancestral domains.
Pascua highlighted that true development is measured not by what is taken from the earth, but by what is given back for future generations.
