The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered to lift the suspension of DMCI Mining’s unit Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. (ZDMC) through a resolution dated 30 September.

“After the close of business hours (on)9 October 2019, ZDMC received the Resolution dated 30 September 2019 issued by the DENR. Through said resolution, DENR has ordered to lift the suspension of ZDMC’s mine operations,” a disclosure filed by DMCI Holdings, Inc. executive vice president and chief finance officer Herbert Consunji at the stock exchange on Thursday read.

ZDMC’s operations were suspended in 2016 in the wake of the DENR’s crackdown on mining companies headed by former DENR secretary Gina Lopez. DMCI Mining’s Palawan asset Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC) was also suspended, but the suspension was lifted in November last year.

In August, DMCI Mining president Cesar F. Simbulan, Jr. said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau reviewed remedial actions by ZMDC and confirmed that the company has complied with the conditions set by the DENR for the lifting of the suspension.

As a result of the suspensions, DMCI Mining’s net income dropped 19 percent in the first half of the year, to P254 million from P316 million in the same period last year as its nickel ore shipments registered lower average selling price. All of the ore shipments came from the miner’s stockpile in BNC.

DMCI Mining’s shares were sold for P8.66 apiece as of Thursday, up 0.70 percent.