Sustainable mining management frameworks in the Philippines

The global transition to clean energy necessitates a substantial increase in the production of energy transition minerals and metals (ETMs). As a major producer of ETMs such as nickel and copper, the Philippines is well-positioned to leverage its mineral resources for economic growth. Key mechanisms, such as the Social Development and Management Plan and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, have advanced community benefits and transparency in the large-scale mining sector. However, as one of the most biodiverse countries and highly vulnerable to climate change, the Philippines requires stronger policy, governance, and stakeholder collaboration that aligns mineral extraction with the UN Sustainable Development and climate action goals. This work presents three complementary approaches to help achieve sustainable mining in the Philippines. First, a river catchment-based management framework is proposed, incorporating catchment-specific environmental guidelines tailored to the country's geological diversity. This framework is essential for assessing the health and functionality of rivers, identifying contamination sources, understanding catchment connectivity, and planning targeted management, remediation, and prevention strategies. Second, we advocate for formalizing and regulating artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) through innovative policy interventions, such as institutionalized synergies between ASM and large-scale mining, fostering socio-economic equity and environmental accountability. Lastly, the guardian watersheds concept is introduced, establishing protected zones to naturally attenuate contaminants from mining-impacted areas, and complementing existing environmental safeguards. Collectively, these measures set a basis for global best practices while addressing mining-related socio-ecological challenges in the Philippines.