DoJ chief declares invalid special permit issued to mining firm By Benjamin B. Pulta 10/10/2011

DoJ chief declares invalid special permit issued to mining firm

By Benjamin B. Pulta 10/10/2011

Department of Justice (DoJ) declared invalid a “special permit” issued by former Environment Secretary Lito Atienza to a mining firm in Zamboanga del Sur after Justice Secretary Leila de Lima decided that the director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has the sole authority to grant special mining permits and not the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In a five-page legal opinion, De Lima said the act of DENR Secretary Ramon Paje of upholding the Special Ore Extraction Permit (SOEP) earlier awarded by his predecessor, former Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, to Lupa Pigigetawan was invalid because the power rests only to the Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau who should issue the same under RA 7942 or the Mining Act of 1995.

The ruling issue found “invalid” the granting of a Special Ore Extraction Permit (SOEP) to the mining firm Lupa Pigigetawan..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111010nat3.html