SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (SyCipLaw) Partner Aaron Roi “Ace” Riturban and Special Counsel Catherina “Kate” Fernandez discuss the current regulatory framework as well as recent legal developments governing the mining industry in the Philippines.


Background

The local mining industry has contributed significantly to the Philippine economy with PHP44.84 billion generated through national and local taxes, fees and royalties. The industry also has the potential to contribute even more as 9 million out of the 30 million hectares of land area of the Philippines are identified as having mining potential. Currently, only 2.6% (or 779,446.41 hectares of the 9 million identified areas) of the Philippines has mining tenements.


Regulatory Framework

The Philippine Mining Act, enacted in 1995, established the regulatory framework for mining in the Philippines. It provides for two major types of tenements, and who may hold them: the first are mineral agreements, which may be in the form of mineral production sharing agreements (MPSAs), co-production agreements, and joint venture agreements; the second are financial or technical assistance agreements (FTAAs).


Mineral agreements are subject to the nationality restriction under the 1987 Philippine Constitution; that is, only Filipino citizens or corporations with at least 60% Filipino ownership may hold mineral agreements. By virtue of an exception in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, foreign citizens or 100% foreign-owned corporations may hold FTAAs.


The Philippine Constitution expressly authorises the Philippine President to enter into agreements with foreign-owned corporations involving either technical or financial assistance for large-scale exploration, development and utilisation of minerals, according to the general terms and conditions provided by law, based on real contributions to economic growth and the general welfare of the country.


A mining contractor would have the same rights and obligations, whether it operates under an MPSA or an FTAA. The biggest difference, at least at present, would be in the setting of the government’s share from mining operations under either agreement.


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