According to local reports, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the permanent closure of two mining companies for non-compliance with environmental laws and denial of the mineral production sharing agreements.

In a decision reached earlier this month, Cimatu disclosed the results of a report by the technical review team of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC), listing Claver Mineral Development, Oriental Synergy and Ore Asia as “most problematic for majority of the aspects reviewed.”

He affirmed the cancellation of the Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) of Claver Mineral Development Council and Oriental Synergy Mining Corp., and denied the MPSA application of Ore Asia Mining and Development.

Cimatu has also been reported to have directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s (DENR) Mines and Geosciences Bureau to implement the recommendations of the MICC.

The MICC report also recommended the conduct of a case study on the economic analysis of Benguet; Oriental Vision Mining Philippines; Hinatuan Mining; Zambales’ Benguet Nickel Mines, Eramen Minerals, LNL Archipelago Minerals and Zambales Diversified Mineral; and Strongbuilt Mining Development.

He issued another resolution lifting the suspension order for Berong Nickel Corp subject to implementation of corrective measures.

According to reports, the MICC review covered 19 nickel mines, three gold and copper mines, three chromite mines, and two magnetic and iron mines on their legal, technical, environmental, social and economic aspects.