Environmental Impact Assessment Process and

Project Cycle of

Semirara Coal Mine

Expansion Project
Brgy. Semirara, Semirara Island, Municipality of Caluya, Province of Antique

ECE ENVE 1
Environmental Science and Engineering

Jeara Michaela G. Muyong

Peter Lahron Astillo
Kean Rogel Luz
 Project Overview

Project Name: Semirara Coal Mine Expansion Project

Project Proponent: Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC)
Project Location: Brgy. Semirara, Semirara Island, Municipality of Caluya, Province of
Antique (located at the northern portion of Semirara Island). The proposed
expansion area is located within the northern waters of the island adjacent
to the existing Molave and Narra pits.
Project Type: Coal Mine (covered by Coal Operating Contract (COC) No. 5)
Project Size: Total Footprint Area - Increase from 3,369.25 hectares to 4,369.25
hectares
(within the boundaries of the 13,000-hectare amended COC No. 5)
Mine Area (Pit) – Increase in total area from 1,200 hectares to 1,630
hectares.

Previous: Proposed:
Narra pit area: 400 hectares Narra pit area: 550 hectares
Panian pit area: 400 hectares Panian pit area: 400 hectares
Molave pit area: 400 hectares Molave pit area: 680 hectares
Total: 1200 hectares Total: 1630 hectares

Annual Coal Production – 16 MMT (no changes)

Project Description
The Semirara Molave Coal Project is envisioned to simultaneously operate the existing
Molave and Narra (East Panian) pits while implementing the accelerated rehabilitation
activities for the mined out Panian pit. The Project is to be located at Brgy. Semirara,
Semirara Island, Municipality of Caluya, Province of Antique (northern portion of
Semirara Island). The proposed expansion area is located within the northern waters of
the island adjacent to the existing Molave and Narra pits. The major amendment for the
project is the increase of the total mining complex area from 3,369.25 hectares to
4,369.25 hectares. The entire project is still within the 13,000 hectare amended COC area
granted to SMPC. The estimated annual production cost is at 24 billion pesos.
 Environmental Impact Assessment Process

1. Project Screening
The project screening process for the Semirara Coal Mine Expansion Project, as the first
step in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, involves determining the
project's environmental significance and compliance requirements. In the Philippines, the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System mandates that projects likely to cause
substantial adverse effects on environmental quality must undergo the EIA process.
Presidential Proclamation No. 2146 (1981) and subsequent legislation, such as
Proclamation No. 803 (1996), classify projects as Environmentally Critical Projects
(ECPs) if they fall under certain categories, including those involving resource extraction,
and require them to obtain an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The
Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, as the project proponent, identified the
Semirara Coal Mine Expansion Project as an ECP, placing it in Category A, due to its
classification under resource extractive industries. This classification obligates the project
to comply with the EIA process to assess and address potential environmental impacts
before proceeding, ensuring responsible development within the scope of the Philippine
EIS System.

2. EIA Study Scoping

For the Semirara Molave Coal Expansion Project, the EIA study scoping involved a
structured approach to identifying and addressing environmental and social issues tied to
the expansion of mining activities on Semirara Island. Located in Brgy. Semirara within
the Municipality of Caluya, Antique, the project involves expanding operations within the
Molave and Narra pits, as well as the previously mined Panian pit. Under Coal Operating
Contract (COC) No. 5, the expansion area, positioned in the northern part of Semirara
Island, includes both coastal and land regions, adding complexity to environmental
assessments. During the scoping phase, the proponent, Semirara Mining and Power
Corporation (SMPC), led efforts in collaboration with the Environmental Management
Bureau (EMB), the affected community, and members of the EIA Review Committee.
Scoping activities encompassed public or site scoping and technical scoping, where
stakeholders, public agencies, and community members were invited to express their
views on project purpose, potential impacts, and mitigation measures. To ensure thorough
stakeholder engagement, SMPC conducted public scoping sessions, household and
perception surveys, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities, and
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). These efforts provided insight into the community’s
current concerns and allowed the project team to incorporate local perspectives, laying
 the groundwork for a comprehensive EIA study tailored to the community's
environmental and social needs.

3. Conduct of the EIA Study and Preparation of the EIA Report

The next phase in the EIA process for the Semirara Coal Mine Expansion Project
involves conducting the EIA study and preparing a comprehensive EIA report, a stage
primarily led by the proponent, Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC). This
report details the proposed expansion and evaluates potential alternatives, while outlining
the Environmental Management Monitoring Plan to address environmental impacts.
Local stakeholders play a key role in primary data collection, contributing indigenous
environmental knowledge that enriches the study. Consultations with Local Government
Units (LGUs) are essential for developing the Social Development (SD) Framework, the
Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Plan, and the Monitoring Plan,
ensuring that community insights are incorporated into planning. Key findings from the
EIA summary highlight that the project design considers seismic risks, such as the
Operating Basis Earthquake (OBE) for the Molave Mine, with a projected magnitude of
M5.5 and a 15-year recurrence period, aligning with SMPC’s operational timeline.
Analysis showed that certain areas, particularly the backfill regions with weak soils,
require stability improvements due to amplified seismic impacts. Stability assessments
revealed that while the north and west walls of the Molave Open Cast Mine are secure
under both static and pseudostatic conditions, specific sections of the east wall need
reinforcement. Additionally, the area is categorized as a “Safe Zone” with minimal
volcanic risk, though precautions for landslide-prone backfill areas include unloading or
removing unstable materials at designated sections. Coastal areas also need to be
extended seaward and elevated above 10 meters to mitigate storm surge and tsunami
risks, with backfilling requirements of 420 million BCM for Molave and 208 million
BCM for Narra.

4. Review and Evaluation

In the Review and Evaluation step of the EIA process for the Semirara Coal Mine
Expansion Project, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) leads the assessment
of the proponent's EIA Report as part of the Environmental Compliance Certificate
(ECC) application. Depending on the project type, the EMB Regional or Central Office
evaluates the report, potentially enlisting third-party experts, or the EIA Review
Committee, for a comprehensive assessment. Public disclosure is required, and for EIS-
based projects, findings are presented through a public hearing to enable community
feedback. To facilitate informed participation, SMPC distributed the full EIA report to
host municipalities, executive summaries to host barangays, and fact sheets—translated
to suit the community’s dialect—to stakeholders. Public hearing notifications were
published in the Manila Bulletin on January 25 and February 1, 2020, and posted in
public spaces. On February 11, 2020, the Barangay Hall of Semirara hosted the hearing
with 223 attendees representing various groups. The hearing included an Open Forum,
 moderated by Atty. John Edward Ang, where participants raised questions, offered
feedback, and voiced concerns about the project’s impact on their community and
environment.

5. Decision-making
In the Decision-making phase of the EIA process for the Semirara Coal Mine Expansion
Project, the EMB-DENR evaluates the project using a balanced approach that considers
both socio-economic benefits and environmental protection. Decisions are guided by
specific environmental and socio-economic criteria, while also respecting the jurisdiction
of other government agencies (GAs) and local government units (LGUs). When a project
receives a positive decision, as was the case with the Semirara Coal Mine Expansion
Project, the EMB-DENR issues an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) to
affirm that the project meets necessary environmental safeguards. This ECC, issued on
May 27, 2020, with reference number 2001-0001, is then endorsed to relevant LGUs and
other authorities to support them in granting additional permits and clearances essential
for project implementation.

6. Environmental Impact Monitoring and Evaluation/Audit

The Environmental Impact Monitoring and Evaluation Audit is the final stage of the EIA
process for the Semirara Coal Mine Expansion Project, led by the EMB to ensure
compliance with the environmental conditions outlined in the ECC and Environmental
Management Plan (EMP). This phase verifies that the implemented environmental
measures effectively prevent or mitigate actual project impacts, as initially planned in the
EMP. Upon approval, the project includes ongoing monitoring plans to ensure adherence
to EIA recommendations and assess the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. Regular
monitoring reports are submitted to relevant authorities to document project impacts over
time, providing transparency and accountability. Through continual monitoring and
periodic evaluations, this step ensures that the project adapts to any emerging
environmental concerns, fostering long-term environmental stewardship.
References:
EIS Summary For The Public - Semirara Coal Mine Expansion Project. Retrieved
[Link]
fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0DR7SjZsUXt99ZR0Xcdvx5gxcAlEjO2qBmpctmOWAp
9U0TDQMm91lNhe0_aem_yEW-SM-M6-BebIAI_nHNLQ

Project Description for Scoping (PDS) Semirara Molave Coal Expansion ProjectRetrieved
[Link]

Public Hearing Documentation Report Semirara Coal Mine Expansion Project. Retrieved
[Link]
[Link]

Revised Guidelines for Coverage Screening and Standardized Requirements under the Philipine
EIS System. Retrieved [Link]
[Link]