The Philippines is rich in minerals, but many deposits lie within Indigenous territories. Companies seek permits to extract resources, often backed by government policies. The Tuwali people in Nueva Vizcaya have long opposed large-scale mining operations, like the controversial Didipio gold-copper mine, citing environmental degradation and loss of livelihoods.
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Laws Protecting Indigenous Lands and ResourcesThe main law is the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, which explicitly recognizes Indigenous peoples’ ownership of their ancestral domains (traditional lands). The Philippines is one of the few countries with a law that clearly protects Indigenous land rightsFree, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is a key principle in IPRA. This means before any project (like mining) can take place on Indigenous land, the community must be informed and have the freedom to approve or reject it. The law says Indigenous peoples have a voice and must give permission if companies want to use natural resources on their land.IPRA also created the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to help uphold these rights. There are also environmental laws and the Constitution that uphold the rights to a healthy environment and culture for Indigenous communities. For example, some areas are declared protected areas or nature reserves (where mining is restricted) to safeguard water sources and biodiversity for local communities.In reality, these protections are not always effective. Indigenous leaders report that the FPIC process is sometimes manipulated or ignored. Companies have, at times, been accused of bribing or pressuring some community members to get consent, causing divisions among Indigenous families.Obtaining legal title to ancestral land can be slow and complicated, which weakens communities’ ability to assert their rights. In short, the laws exist, but they are not always enforced properly, leaving Indigenous peoples still vulnerable to displacement by mining.Examples of Mining Conflicts on Indigenous LandDidipio Gold-Copper Mine (Nueva Vizcaya, Luzon) – An Australian-Canadian company, OceanaGold, operates a gold and copper mine in Didipio. The local Indigenous community, the Tuwali people (Ifugao), have protested the mine for years. They say it has “scarred their land” and threatened the water they use for drinking and farming. The mine’s operations dried up some streams and left former farmlands unusable. Despite local opposition (around 4,000 Indigenous residents opposed it), the national government renewed the mining permit. This has led to feelings of betrayal and ongoing conflict, as the community continues to fight to protect their ancestral land.Tampakan Copper-Gold Project (South Cotabato, Mindanao) – The Tampakan project is a proposed $5.9 billion open-pit copper and gold mine, touted as one of the largest in Southeast Asia. It is located on the ancestral land of the Blaan Indigenous people and other neighboring tribes. Thousands of Indigenous residents would be displaced if this mine opens. The Blaan consider the mountains as their source of food, medicine, and sacred sites, so they fear losing everything if mining proceeds. Unfortunately, the conflict around Tampakan has at times turned violent. Several people have been killed in clashes related to this project over the years.Nickel Mining in Palawan (Palawan Island) – Palawan is often called the Philippines’ last ecological frontier, known for its rich biodiversity. It is also home to Indigenous groups like the Tagbanua and Pala’wan peoples. These nickel mines overlap with Indigenous territories, leading to deforestation and water pollution in those communities. For example, in the Victoria-Anepahan range of Palawan, Indigenous villagers and farmers have united to oppose new nickel mine applications. They worry about losing their forests, clean water, and livelihoods if more mines are approved. On Mindoro Island, the Mangyan Indigenous communities fought against a proposed nickel mine and succeeded in getting the project halted to protect their watershed.In Zamboanga, the Subanon people opposed the Canadian-run Canatuan mine on their sacred mountain, which led to years of conflict and reports of human rights abuses.Major Minerals Mined in the PhilippinesGold – Gold is used in jewelry, coins, and electronics. Many provinces (like Benguet, Camarines Norte, Masbate, etc.) have active gold mining.Copper – The Philippines has large copper deposits. Big copper reserves are found in places like Tampakan (South Cotabato) and Benguet (the Cordillera region), among others.Nickel – One of the most abundant and economically important minerals in the Philippines. The Philippines is one of the world’s top producers of nickel, with major mining areas in Surigao (Mindanao) and Palawan.Chromite (Chromium) – The Philippines was once a leading exporter of chromite. Large chromite deposits are found in Zambales (Luzon) and Mindanao, often in areas that are also ancestral lands of Indigenous groups.Bauxite (Aluminum ore) – Bauxite is the main source of aluminum. The Philippines has bauxite deposits (for example, on Samar Island). It is not as heavily mined as the other minerals above. It is still part of the country’s mineral wealth.
