As these discussions resurface, so too do familiar narratives—among them, the claim that mining activity contributes to earthquakes.
Facts over fear
It’s an understandable fear, but earthquakes are mainly driven by the massive, nonstop movement of tectonic plates deep beneath the Earth’s crust. This is where geoscience, not speculation, must guide the conversation.
The Philippines sits atop vast mineral wealth. Government estimates indicate that around 30 percent of the country’s total land area holds mineral potential.
Yet contrary to popular perception, the actual footprint of mining remains minuscule. Only 2.58 percent of our land is covered by mining tenements, and of that, a mere 3 percent—about 232,000 hectares—are under active mining contracts.
Seismic science explained
Tectonic movements beneath the Earth never stop, but it’s important to note that large-scale earthquakes are caused by natural geological forces, not by human activity.
While certain industrial actions, including mining, can cause small, localized tremors (known as induced seismicity), these are vastly different from the massive tectonic events that shape fault lines and trigger destructive quakes. These tremors rarely cause significant damage.
Data and aerial imagery also show that mining is not the main driver of deforestation. Most forest cover losses stem from agriculture and urban expansion, driven by population growth and the rising demand for food, housing, and infrastructure.
Mining, by comparison, occupies smaller, controlled sites subject to strict regulation and rehabilitation requirements.
Mining may not appear as “green” as agriculture or as scenic as real estate development. Its operations are earthy, rugged, and often brown. But those brown patches are temporary.
With rigorous rehabilitation programs, mined lands can—and do—return to green, supporting both ecosystems and local communities. The same cannot be said for subdivisions, roads, or farmlands that permanently alter natural landscapes.
Green goals ahead
Environmentally, mining is also not the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions—that distinction belongs to the transportation sector. In actuality, minerals extracted through responsible mining are essential for the very technologies that help reduce emissions: solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles. The path to a low-carbon future quite literally runs through the products of mining.
Despite its small footprint, the mining industry’s contribution is anything but minor. It accounts for around 0.5 percent of national GDP, or roughly $2.3 billion, generating an impressive $9,913 per hectare—a testament to how impactful the industry can be while using only a fraction of the country’s land. And during times of crisis, mining has often provided steady employment and revenue when other industries slowed to a halt.
In short, mining in the Philippines has a small footprint but provides significant value. It may not always look beautiful, but it sustains countless communities and powers the technologies that will shape a greener future.
Karl Ocampo is a former business journalist for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and now serves as the media and communications manager at Nickel Asia Corp.
