DMCI Mining trims workforce by 62% due to suspensions

DMCI Mining Corp., the mining arm of Consunji-led DMCI Holdings Inc., said on Thursday its workforce was trimmed by 62 percent in the first nine months of 2016 due to the suspension of mining units in Palawan and Zambales.

The company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange its manpower was reduced to 207 from 550.

"This does not include the thousands of seasonal workers hired during production ramp up," it noted.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) suspended DMCI Mining's subsidiary Berong Nickel Corp. in June, citing the discoloration of Barangay Berong’s river system and tributaries.

In July, Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. was also served a suspension order due to social issues.

“Our hands are tied. We have no choice but to let go of most of our workers,” said DMCI Mining President Cesar Simbulan Jr.

“We are trying to retain as many people as possible by assigning them to our environmental rehabilitation sites. But mine rehabilitation is not as labor intensive as nickel production, so we simply cannot absorb all of them,” Simbulan added.

The two DMCI Mining subsidiaries were among the 10 miners suspended by the DENR, while 20 others mining firms were recommended for suspension after failing a government-led audit.

In appealing for lifting the suspension orders, DMCI Mining has submitted additional documents to the DENR.

“At this point, we can only hope that they appreciate the merits and facts we presented. We firmly believe that our operations uphold the principles and practices of responsible mining,” Simbulan said. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News