The Government of Palawan Province in the PhilippinesOn March 5th, a historic resolution was passed announcing a ban on issuing new mining licenses for the next 50 years, and existing mines are not allowed to expand production scale or extend license periods.

Palawan Province is located in the southwest of the Philippines and is a globally recognized hotspot for biodiversity. It is listed by UNESCO asBiosphere Reserve. However, the province also has abundant mineral resources such as nickel and chromium. In recent years, with the surge in global demand for clean energy minerals, the Philippine government plans to expand mining development, with Palawan Province becoming a key target.

At present, there areThere are 11 operating mines and dozens of mining permit applications pending approval. But local residents and environmental organizations have long accused mining activities of causing forest degradation, water pollution, and displacement of indigenous communities.

In 2023, the "Save Palawan" petition initiated by the Catholic Church collected 100000 signatures within two months, ultimately pushing the government to issue a ban. According to the resolution, the approval of new mining rights will be frozen for the next 50 years, and the licenses of existing mines cannot be renewed or expanded for 25 years.

Although the Philippine Constitution allows local governments to formulate environmental policies, the central government has repeatedly attempted to weaken local environmental regulations in recent years. Regarding this, environmental lawyer Anda（Tony Oposa emphasized that the ban in Palawan Province is based on local autonomy and Manila has no right to overturn it. He explained, "The current mining site can continue to operate, but the production capacity and land occupation scale must remain the same

The Philippine Chamber of Mines strongly criticized the resolution, stating that existing regulations have already strictly limited environmental damage, and the ban will hinder the country's use of mineral resources to improve people's livelihoods. The Chamber of Commerce warns that global demand for key minerals continues to grow, and the Philippines may miss out on economic opportunities.

Although the mining ban in Palawan province has come into effect, its long-term stability is facing political tests.In May 2025, the Philippines will hold midterm elections, with 10 out of the 11 current members of the provincial council seeking re-election. If the election leads to a major change in parliament, new members may be forced by mining lobbying pressure to overturn the ban.

Analysts point out that the decision of Palawan Province reflects the dilemma faced by developing countries between resource development and ecological protection. If the Philippine government forcibly intervenes in local policies, it may intensify the conflict between the central and local governments; But if the ban is allowed to be implemented, the country's position in the global nickel supply chain may be shaken.