Philippines' Duterte lifts ban on new mining deals

in this photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he meets members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines on Thursday April 15, 2021. - AP

MANILA, April 15 (AFP): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has officially lifted a nine-year ban on new mining projects, in a controversial move aimed at boosting state revenue and spurring investment in the country's coronavirus-devastated economy.

The mining industry has stagnated since 2012 when Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino, imposed a moratorium on new projects following public backlash over a series of devastating mining accidents.