MANILA The Philippine environment minister has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to halt a second review of 28 mines that she ordered closed or suspended, challenging its legality despite initially supporting it.
Lopez said she`s challenging the review after learning that the second assessment will cost 50 million pesos ($1 million).
Miners have contested the closure and suspension orders, which a mining industry group has said would affect 1.2 million people that depend on mining for their livelihood.
The MICC was created through a 2012 executive order by former President Benigno Aquino and tasked, as part of its duties, to review mining laws and regulations and ensure their implementation.
The only agency that can do a review of mining operations is DENR, and that`s what we`ve done," Lopez told Reuters, referring to her environment agency.
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