Over the past decade and a half, the Philippine mining industry has experienced a dynamic and often turbulent journey shaped by evolving government policies, environmental activism, shifts in global commodity markets, and new technological and economic priorities.
From 2010 to 2025, the sector has witnessed sweeping regulatory reforms, the rise and fall of major mining projects, highly publicized environmental controversies, and a renewed focus on mining’s role in the green energy transition.
Your Philippine Resources Journal has witnessed and chronicled these events over the last 15 years, and as we celebrate our anniversary in this issue, this narrative hopes to unpack the key events, policies, and trends that have defined the PH mining landscape during this pivotal period.
Early 2010s: Industry Ambitions and Rising Tension
The start of the 2010s saw heightened optimism within the Philippine mining sector. Policymakers promoted mining as a pillar of national industrialization, encouraging value chain development and community-based mining initiatives. The spotlight fell on projects like Xstrata’s Tampakan copper-gold development, which promised to catapult the country into the ranks of leading mineral exporters.
However, these ambitions quickly ran into strong headwinds. Environmental groups and local communities intensified their campaigns against large-scale mining, culminating in South Cotabato’s enforcement of a provincial open-pit mining ban in 2011, which effectively stalled the high-profile Tampakan project (now under Sagittarius Mines Inc. or SMI).
National debates over mining’s true social and environmental costs gained traction, with the Senate holding hearings and grassroots campaigns like “No to Mining in Palawan” galvanizing public opinion.
2012–2015: Regulatory Shift and Industry Slowdown
In 2012, President Benigno Aquino III issued Executive Order 79 (EO 79), a landmark policy that imposed a moratorium on new mining agreements while calling for stricter environmental regulations and the rationalization of the sector.
EO 79 signaled a major policy pivot, prioritizing responsible mining practices and environmental safeguards over unfettered industry expansion. The moratorium brought new investments to a halt, and by 2013, the industry’s contribution to GDP had declined, with mining companies facing mounting criticism for pollution, deforestation, and community displacement.
Despite these headwinds, the sector maintained a degree of resilience. By 2014, metallic mineral production reached ₱138.6 billion, with nickel emerging as the country’s leading export mineral. The mining industry paid ₱21.4 billion in taxes that year and began expanding environmental and social development programs in response to growing scrutiny.
In 2015, investments rebounded to nearly US$1 billion, and operations at Didipio (under OceanaGold), Toledo (Carmen Copper), and Coral Bay (Rio Tuba) highlighted the sector’s ongoing economic relevance.
The Philippines also became a candidate member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), reflecting a new emphasis on accountability and global best practices.
2016–2017: The Gina Lopez Era and Heightened Environmental Scrutiny
A dramatic turning point arrived with the appointment of Gina Lopez as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under the Duterte administration in 2016.
Lopez launched an unprecedented nationwide audit of mining operations, prioritizing ecological integrity and community welfare above industry profitability. Dozens of mines were suspended or ordered closed for failing environmental standards, and a national ban on open-pit mining was imposed.
The reforms, while applauded by environmentalists and many local communities, sowed uncertainty throughout the industry and triggered a wave of legal and political challenges. By 2017, Lopez’s tenure had resulted in the suspension of five major operations and the closure of 23 others.
While the value of metallic production remained stable due to global price increases, the industry grappled with regulatory unpredictability and the prospect of further interventions. The DENR also mandated full EITI participation, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to transparency.
However, Lopez lasted only one year in the post -- and died in 2019 from brain cancer. She was succeeded at the DENR by former military general Roy Cimatu, who continued the Duterte government’s holding pattern on mining.
2018–2020: Recovery, ESG Emphasis, and Pandemic Disruption
With Lopez’s departure, the regulatory climate gradually stabilized. Year 2018 saw a rebound in mining production, as the sector deepened its commitments to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards in response to both domestic activism and international investor expectations. However, opposition to large-scale mining remained potent, with ongoing protests and calls for stricter oversight.
By 2019, the moratorium from EO 79 was still in effect, and exploration budgets stayed low. Major projects like Tampakan and Silangan (under Philex) continued to languish in regulatory limbo. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 dealt another blow, disrupting operations and supply chains.
Nevertheless, mining still contributed ₱102.3 billion to the national GDP, with nickel maintaining its status as the top export mineral. Notably, Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) funds were redirected to support pandemic relief efforts in mining communities.
2021–2023: Policy Reversal and New Growth Drivers
A watershed moment came in 2021, when Executive Order 130 (EO 130) lifted the nine-year moratorium on new mineral agreements, signaling a more investment-friendly posture while retaining environmental safeguards.
This policy reversal was driven in part by the growing global demand for so-called “green metals” such as nickel and copper, essential for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy technologies. Gold and nickel production surged, and the industry began to recover from years of stagnation.
In 2022, the government lifted the open-pit mining ban, further encouraging investment. The DENR promoted exploration for critical minerals, and exports soared to US$7.53 billion.
By 2023, the value of metallic production reached ₱249.7 billion, with 59 operating metallic mines and a strong focus on ESG. The DENR committed ₱387.95 billion to environmental programs, reflecting the sector’s newfound emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility.
2024–2025: Mining’s Strategic Role in Green Transition
As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office, mining was explicitly prioritized as a key component of economic recovery and the national energy transition. Policymakers emphasized downstream mineral processing, seeking to capture greater value domestically rather than exporting raw ore.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) under the DENR projected a strong outlook for the sector, buoyed by international demand for minerals critical to decarbonization. By 2025, mining was recognized as essential to the Philippines’ green technology ambitions. Nickel demand soared in response to the global EV boom, and draft fiscal reforms proposed tiered royalty schemes to balance government revenue with investor appeal.
The long-stalled Tampakan copper project was once again under consideration for launch in 2026, symbolizing the sector’s renewed confidence and strategic importance in a rapidly changing world.
Key Trends and Lessons Learned
Throughout this period, several overarching trends defined the local mining sector. Policy volatility—marked by alternating waves of restriction and liberalization—had profound impacts on investor sentiment and project viability.
Environmental scrutiny intensified, with audits, suspensions, and ESG compliance becoming central to mining operations, especially from 2016 onward. The industry’s role in the global green transition brought renewed focus on nickel and copper, transforming them into strategic assets.
Finally, post-2021 reforms and global market dynamics triggered a revival in investment and exploration, as the Philippines positioned itself to supply critical minerals for a decarbonizing world.
The trajectory of the PH mining industry over the last 15 years illustrates a complex interplay between resource development, environmental stewardship, social accountability, and economic opportunity.
As the sector looks ahead, its continued evolution will depend on the delicate balancing of these priorities in the face of both domestic challenges and global shifts – and your Philippine Resources Journal will be here, ready to chronicle these changes.
