Philippine mines bureau boss sees end to open-pit mining ban soon


MANILA, May 22 (Reuters): The head of the Philippines' Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has told Reuters he expected a ban on open-pit mining to be lifted soon, following a government decision to welcome new mining agreements after a long moratorium.

The government imposed the open-pit ban in 2017, when the environment and natural resources ministry, which oversees mining, was led by an anti-mining advocate who had blamed the sector for extensive environmental damage.

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Philippines , Open Mining , Ban , LIfted , MGB

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