MINDANAO Business Council (MBC) president Vic Lao speaking with media last week said the government should acknowledge the fact that the mining industry in the Philippines is at the forefront of reforestation efforts in the country.

“The mining industry is very active in helping the government plant trees and you cannot say that about the other industries,” Lao said.

Lao said the mining industry “has planted more trees than what the government has planted so far.”

“The mining industry has so far reforested at least 15,000 hectares or more than 10 million trees,” Lao said.

“Philippine mining industry is doing its share and more in protecting the environment through reforestation and the protection of watersheds,” Lao concluded.

This was confirmed at least in their municipality by Tampakan municipal environment office head Eileen Estrada, “especially with the proponent of the Tampakan mining project.”

Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) is proposing what is seen as the biggest copper mine in the country, with data estimates saying that in terms of investment the project will be “more than three times the size of the entire Philippine mining industry.”