DENR Approves Coal Mining Expansion on Semirara Island

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), the country’s largest coal producer, has secured approval from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to expand its coal mining operations on Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique.

SMPC announced on June 11 that the DENR granted an amended Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for its planned PHP291-billion expansion of the Semirara Coal Mine Complex.

The ECC amendment increases the project area from 4,369.25 hectares to 5,221.75 hectares within SMPC’s existing 13,000-hectare coal operating contract.

The approval allows the inclusion of the Acacia mine, which will operate alongside the currently active Narra mine.

Production from the Acacia mine is expected to begin in 2026, with an estimated 80 million metric tons of coal reserves projected to sustain SMPC’s operations after the Molave and Narra pits reach the end of their mine life.

The expansion is also expected to raise SMPC’s annual coal production limit from 16 million to 20 million metric tons between 2025 and 2027.

However, the DENR’s green light has sparked strong opposition from local groups.

The Amlig Antique Alliance, a coalition of more than 40 civil society organizations, condemned the continued mining activity in Semirara, calling it a “systematic exploitation masquerading as progress.”

Despite hosting the country’s largest coal mine, Caluya remains one of the poorest municipalities in Antique.

The group cited 2021 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing a poverty incidence of 27.92% in Caluya, significantly higher than the provincial average of 18.2%.

“This appalling truth exposes the fundamental failure of the mining-led development model that has enriched corporations while leaving our communities behind,” the group said in a statement.

They also raised concerns over the environmental degradation caused by mining, stating that once-productive lands are being reduced to wastelands.

The group criticized the DENR’s approval of the amended ECC, calling it a “betrayal of future generations.”

They also urged Antiqueño DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla to reconsider the expansion and protect the long-term interests of his home province.

The ECC approval comes as residents voice concern over a separate proposal to declare a 3,715-hectare mineral reservation across parts of Patnongon, San Remigio, Valderrama, and Sibalom.