Revised rules for People's Small-Scale Mining Act

Defines key terms such as Active Mining Area, Ancestral Domain and Land, Annual Safety and Health Program (ASHP), Board (Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board), Custom Mill, Minahang Bayan (People's Small-Scale Mining Area), Small-Scale Miner, Small-Scale Mining Contract, Mineral Processing Zone, among others.
Emphasizes Filipino ownership and legal capacity requirements for miners and processors.
Provides technical and geographic references for mining operations.

Small-scale mining is prohibited outside Minahang Bayan and without a contract.
Registration requires proof of Filipino citizenship and valid IDs.
Licensing involves application, fees, and proof of 100% Filipino ownership.
The Board may declare mineralized onshore areas as Minahang Bayan, considering technical, commercial viability, existing permits, land ownership, and Indigenous Cultural Communities' rights.
Procedures for declaration include petitions, evaluation, notification to affected parties, posting and publication, resolution of oppositions, and Secretary clearance.
Only one small-scale mining contract is awarded per contractor nationwide, with contract area sizes between 1.25 and 20 hectares.

Contracts are valid for two years, renewable up to six years.
Mining limited to gold, silver, chromite, and non-metallic minerals.
No explosives, heavy equipment, mercury use, hydraulicking, or compressor mining allowed.
Mining confined to contract areas.
Compliance with approved work programs, environmental plans, safety rules, and payment of fees, royalties, taxes, and production share mandatory.
Monthly production reports and annual financial reports required.

Mineral processing restricted to centralized custom mills in mineral processing zones under a Mineral Processing License (MPL).
No mercury use allowed.
Establishment requires local government designation, compliance with regulations, and when private sector cannot provide, government intervention possible.
MPL applications necessitate proof of technical and financial capability, feasibility studies, environmental plans, and a minimum capital.
MPL term coterminous with small-scale mining contracts; cancellation and compliance rules apply.

The Secretary exercises direct supervision over small-scale mining programs.
The Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board has powers to declare Minahang Bayan, award contracts, settle disputes, and submit reports.
Board consists of Regional Director (Chairperson), local chief executives, small-scale and large-scale mining representatives, and environmental NGO representatives.
Board members receive compensation based on meetings attended.

Small-scale miners gain easement rights to existing necessary facilities upon Minahang Bayan declaration.
Contracts confer exclusive mining rights but prohibit assignment or subcontracting.
Ownership of mill tailings defaults to the small-scale mining contractor, with preemptive purchase rights for permit holders.

Contractors and processors must abide by approved Environmental Compliance Certificates, rehabilitation plans, and social development programs.
Safety and health rules under DAO No. 97-30 and approved programs must be followed.

Compliance with tax payments, royalties (5% for mineral reservations), government production share, and occupation fees (PhP100/hectare/year) is required.
The Peoplea's Small-Scale Mining Protection Fund supports safety training, rescue teams, and emergency response.
Contracts/licenses may be cancelled for violations, non-payment, abandonment, misrepresentation, unfair competition, national interest or environmental reasons, or reversion of Minahang Bayan.
Fines range from PhP20,000 to PhP100,000; non-payment leads to ineligibility for contracts.

Minahang Bayan may be reverted if economically nonviable, endangering miner safety, environmentally destructive, disturbed by conflict, or finalized in favor of mining applicants/opposers.
Written notice and right of first refusal for large-scale mining permits provided upon reversion.

The Department, in coordination with the Board and other agencies, will assist in cooperative organization, technical/financial aid, marketing, and livelihood generation.

All gold from Minahang Bayan must be sold to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or authorized agents at competitive prices.
Transport of minerals requires an Ore Transport Permit from the Board.
Export governed by related Department Administrative Orders.

Violations result in imprisonment of at least six years and confiscation of mining equipment used in offenses.

Small-scale miners operating since August 1, 1987, shall not be displaced if areas are declared Minahang Bayan.
Small-Scale Mining Permits under PD No. 1899 recognized until expiry unless revoked; affected miners may opt for small-scale mining contracts under RA No. 7076.

Conflicting rules repealed or modified.
Unconstitutional provisions do not affect the rest of the Order.
The Secretary may amend or clarify provisions.
The Order takes effect 15 days after newspaper publication and registration with the National Administrative Register.