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Amendments to the Mining Act () that would give more say to indigenous communities regarding mining rights in their lands passed the legislature on Friday.

The changes cleared the legislative floor without opposition after more than six years of efforts by lawmakers and environmentalists.

They require mining companies to obtain the consent of local indigenous people before launching projects on designated indigenous lands, in accordance with the Indigenous Peoples Basic Act ().

Photo courtesy of Citizen of the Earth

Mining firms that have already acquired an extraction permit on such lands without the approval of indigenous residents would be granted one year to conduct negotiations with them and seek their consent, the amendments say.

The Bureau of Mines has said the companies would be allowed to continue mining during negotiations, but if they fail to acquire approval within a year, they would be ordered to suspend operations.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, 79 of the 139 mining sites in Taiwan are on indigenous land. Only 13 have obtained the approval of local indigenous communities.

The amendments include retrospective provisions subjecting large mining projects to rigorous review to ascertain their potential environmental impact, in accordance with Article 5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act ().

A large mining project is defined as a mine covering more than 2 hectares and that has produced more than 50,000 tonnes of ore on average every year over the past five years.

According to economics ministry data, eight large mines would be subject to review, while 31 smaller projects would be required to conduct less rigorous reviews based on Article 28 of the same act.

Lawmakers also addressed provisions in the Mining Act that had long been criticized by environmental groups as serving the interests of mining companies.

One such provision is Article 47, which gives mineral rights holders the right to commence mining projects even if they fail to obtain consent from landowners, as long as they compensate them.

The article, as well as Article 31, which entitles mine developers to claim compensation for losses incurred if a license renewal is denied, are to be removed, the amendments say.

Another major change mandates authorities to place limits on mining activities, for example capping the amount of ore extraction in each project.

Companies that reach their limits would be required to reapply for mining permission, even if their license has not expired.

Citizen of the Earth, Taiwan said that it never sought to bring down the mining industry in Taiwan, but had been working to correct the law that was tilted heavily in favor of the industry.

Only when the negative effects of mining activity on the environment are reduced and the rights of nearby residents are ensured can the industry shed its notorious reputation in Taiwanese society, it added.

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Amendments to Mining Act passed -