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Wednesday, 28th November 2007 (1748 views)

Gold mining industry reforms taking place in the Philippines are to improve the rights of indigenous peoples (IP), it has been claimed.

According to environment and natural resources secretary Lito Atienza, , the ongoing reforms being initiated by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are to improve IP rights, reports bayanihan dot org.

"We will make sure that rights of the IPs are respected and definitely included even at the preparation stage of sustainable mining," he said at a forum on responsible mining at the annual assembly of the League of Provincial Board Members of the Philippines, according to the news provider.

He added that if IPs certify that they have a rightful claim to the area in which gold mining operations are operated they will receive their share.

The environment and natural resources secretary said that the programme of reform was to encompass profit sharing initiatives, environmental protection and social responsibility as well as IP rights.

At the recent Annual Mine Safety and Environment Conference, the DENR highlighted its support for responsible mining.

 

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