Four mining firms are facing possible closure after failing an audit for compliance by a state regulator, Wilfredo Moncano, head of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said yesterday.

The Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) presented their findings before Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, showing that four of the 27 mining firms reviewed for compliance have failed to pass the requirement.

The DENR created a review panel after former Secretary Regina Lopez, a hardline environmentalist, ordered the closure of the mining firms which shook of the industry that also led to her termination.

However, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said his agency has not yet made a final decision on what to do with the mining companies which failed the review.

“It (MICC) presented its final finding reports. We will still harmonize with the previous findings of the previous Secretary,” he said.

The result of the review is a welcome respite for the mining sector as it comes two days after Cimatu relaxed rules on the industry. On Tuesday, the environment chief lifted the two-year ban on approving mining permits, opening new potentials for some opportunities in the world’ s econd largest nickel ore exporter.

Last month, the DENR also repealed the moratorium on giving government license for small-scale mining projects after amending the earlier order by his predecessor.

However, observers still worry over environmental concerns involving mining operations in the country because of past mismanagement that caused ecological disasters to host communities.

According to the secretary, he will meet with the DENR’s fact-finding team on Monday to determine their direction moving forward before submitting the final report to President Rodrigo Duterte together with their recommendation.

At the same time, Cimatu will discuss with the mining companies on Tuesday to inquire into their alternative methods on extracting mineral ores that will not be harmful to the environment as well as their assistance programs to their communities.

Meanwhile, the DENR and the Department of Trade and Industry have approved a plan to use bamboo trees to hasten the rehabilitation of mined areas.