DENR VISION

DENR envisions to pass on to Filipinos a renewed hope in people’s ability to chart a new direction for development and a legacy of a self-sustaining environment, mindful of people’s rights to a life of dignity.

MANDATE OF THE MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU
(Section 7, DAO 1996-40 as amended in Section 7 of DAO 2010-21)

Organization and Authority of the Bureau

	The Mines and Geosciences Bureau shall be a line bureau primarily responsible for the implementation of the Act pursuant to Section 100 thereof.  It shall be comprised of a Central Office and the necessary regional, district and such other offices as may be established in pertinent administrative orders issued by the Secretary.  The staff Bureau created under Department Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 1988, shall become the Central Office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau while the Mines and Geosciences Development Services created pursuant to Department Administrative Order No. 41, Series of 1990, shall become the Regional Offices.

Authority of the Bureau

	The Bureau shall have the following authority, among others:

a.	To have direct charge in the administration and disposition of mineral lands and mineral resources;

b.	To undertake geological, mining, metallurgical, chemical and other researches, as well as mineral exploration surveys: Provided, That for areas closed to mining applications as provided for in Section 15 hereof, the Bureau can undertake studies for purposes of research and development;

c.	To confiscate, after due process, surety, performance and guaranty bonds after notice of violation;

d.	To recommend to the Secretary the granting of Mineral Agreements or to endorse to the Secretary for action by the President the grant of FTAAs, in favor of Qualified Persons and to monitor compliance by the Contractor with the terms and conditions of the Mineral Agreements and FTAAs.  For this purpose, an efficient and effective monitoring system shall be established to ascertain periodically whether or not these objectives are realized;

e.	To cancel or to recommend cancellation, after due process, mining rights, mining applications and mining claims for noncompliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations;

f.	To deputize, when necessary, any member or unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and barangay, duly registered and Department-accredited Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) or any Qualified Person to police all mining activities;

g.	To assist the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) under the Department and/or the Department Regional Office in the processing or conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment in mining projects; and

h.	To exercise such other authority vested by the Act and as provided for in these implementing rules and regulations.

	The Director may delegate such authority and other powers and functions to the Regional Director.

MISSION

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau, as steward of the country's mineral resources, is committed to the promotion of sustainable mineral resources development, aware of its contribution to national economic growth and countryside community development.  It fully recognizes that the development of a responsive policy framework in partnership with stakeholders to govern mineral exploration, mining and investment decisions and an effective institutional structure, are fundamental requisites for the sustainable utilization of the country's mineral resources.  It is adherent to the promotion of geological studies as an integral element of socio-economic development, environmental protection and human safety.  Yet, it is sensitive to the known environmental impacts of mining and the need for restoration and rehabilitation of mining affected areas and the development and adoption of environmental and geoscientific studies.

DECLARATION OF POLICY
(Section 2 of RA 7942)

•	All mineral resources are owned by the State.
•	The State shall promote the rational exploration, development, utilization and conservation.
•	The promotion shall be the combined efforts of the Government and private sector for the enhancement of national growth in a way that effectively safeguards the environment and protect the rights of affected communities.

OBJECTIVES

General Objectives

To promote the rational exploration, development, utilization and conservation of mineral resources under the new regime of sustainable mining that is pro-people and pro-environment in sustaining wealth creation and improved quality of life.

Specific Objectives

To enhance the contribution of mineral resources utilization to national economic development, with emphasis on the direct benefits of mining to local governments and affected communities.

To promote participation of the private sector in the sustainable exploration, development and utilization of mineral resources.

To ensure the economic viability of mineral resources utilization in the context of efficiency of operations, clean technology and sustained productivity of post-mining land use.

To promote equitable access to economically viable mineral resources.

Role of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau

•	To have direct charge in the administration and disposition of mineral lands and mineral resources;
•	To undertake geological, mining, metallurgical, chemical and other researches, as well as mineral exploration surveys;
•	To confiscate, after due process, surety, performance and guaranty bonds after notice of violation;
•	To recommend to the Secretary the granting of Mineral Agreements or to endorse to the Secretary for action by the President the grant of FTAAs, in favor of Qualified Persons
•	To cancel or to recommend cancellation, after due process mining rights, mining applications and mining claims for non-compliance with the pertinent laws, rules and regulations;
•	To deputize, when necessary, any member or unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and barangay, duly registered and DENR-Accredited NGO or any Qualified Person to police all mining activities;
•	To assist the EMB under the Department and/or the DENR-RO in the processing or conduct of EIA in mining projects; and
•	To exercise such other authority vested by the Act and as provided for in these Implementing Rules and Regulations.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

GEOSCIENCES DIVISION

•	Geohazard survey and assessment of disaster-prone areas, settlements,
•	infrastructures, civil works and areas for land development;
•	Geological mapping 

•	Geophysical surveys in relation to mineral exploration, groundwater assessment, structural and engineering geological evaluation and geo-environmental studies;

•	Geo-environmental evaluation of landfill sites and other proposed waste disposal sites;

•	Production and updating of quadrangle maps;

•	Mineral characterization and inventory;

•	Geological coastal assessment;

•	Groundwater resources assessment/identification; 

•	Megascopic analysis of mineral/rock samples

MINE MANAGEMENT DIVISION

•	Processing and endorsement of mining rights applications - Exploration Permit
•	(EP), Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA);
•	Issuance of Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit (ISAGP) for more than 5 hectares; Mineral Processing Permits, Accreditation of Retailers/Traders/Dealers of mineral by-products and Area Clearance for applications filed with local government units (LGUs);
•	Monitoring of approved mining rights and mining-related technical services;
•	Operation of One-Stop-Shop particularly in  issuing Area Clearance/Status of applications filed with the LGUs and for mining rights applications;
•	Investigation of mining conflicts and illegal mining activities;
•	Technical assistance to small scale miners;
•	Processing of applications for Ore Transport Permit (OTP) and Ump

MINING ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY DIVISION

•	Operationalization of the Contingent Liability Rehabilitation Fund (CLRF) and
	Multi-partite Monitoring Team (MMT);
•	Evaluation and monitoring of Social Development and Management Program
	(SDMP) of mining companies;
•	Environmental monitoring of mining and exploration areas;
•	Monitoring of compliance to safety, health and environmental standards of mining
	companies (Safety, Health and Environment SHE Program);
•	Water quality assessment of major river systems affected by operating/closed
	mines;
•	Assessment of Adopt-a-Mountain, Adopt a Mining Forest Program of mining
	companies;
•	Processing of applications and issuance of safety, mechanical/electrical related
	permits

•	IEC  
•	Conduct of awareness and advocacy on mineral resources and geosciences to various stakeholders