FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
Section 16 of Article II under the 1987 Constitution acknowledges the right of all citizens to "a 
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature". However, the 
current mining operations in some parts of the country prove otherwise. Mining companies are 
increasingly using cyanide to extract gold, silver, copper, zinc, and other metals from metallic 
ore since cyanide can extract almost 1 00% of the precious metals from rocks which contain 
them. 
In 2002 there were only 7 mining tenements approved, namely for Philex Mining Corporation, 
Lepanto Victoria Mine, Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation, Taganito Mining, Hinatuan-
Cagdianao Mining Corporation and Benguet Corporation Masinloc Mine with a total tenement 
area of23,106 hectares or a mere 5% of the total mineralized area But as of November 2005, the 
number of approved tenements has ballooned to 383 with 2,229 petitions pending approval. 
Moreover, cyanide has been the cause of environmental disasters at Philippine mines such as the 
mine tailings in Boac, Marinduque, in Sipalay and Hinobaan, in N egros Occidental, in Itogon, 
Benguet, and mudflows in Sibutad, Zamboanga del Norte; and at many foreign mines such as in 
Romania, Guyana, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, and Papua New Guinea resulting in massive fish kills 
and contaminated drinking water. 
The Cyanide Ban of 201 0, if passed, would prohibit the recovery of gold, silver and other metals 
by cyanide leaching of the ore. Cyanide is a lethal substance that is used to extract gold and other 
minerals from ore in mining. One teaspoon of a 2 percent cyanide solution will kill an adult 
human. Cyanide in much lower levels is toxic to birds, animals and aquatic creatures. Further, 
cyanide poses serious environmental risks--from transportation on our roadways, from storage 
and use at mine site, and from residuals disposed in waste dumps. 
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
'±:L~J~NESIV 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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) 
) 
SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. TriIlanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROHIDITING THE USE OF CYANIDE AND OTHER TOXIC CHEMICALS BY MINING 
FIRMS FOR GOLD AND OTHER MINERAL ORE PROCESSING IN OPEN-PIT MINING 
OPERATIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the "Cyanide Ban of201 0". 
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SEC. 2. Definition of Terms.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-
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1. "cyanide" means hydrocyanic acid or any of its salts or derivatives. 
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2. "heap leaching" is a mining process to extract precious metals and copper compounds from 
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ore. 
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SEC. 3. Prohibition on the use of cyanide in mining operations.- Cyanide heap leaching 
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in open-pit gold and silver mining is hereby prohibited. 
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SEC. 4. Penalty.- Any person who willfully violates or grossly neglects the prohibition 
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contained hereof shall suffer the penalty of five (5) years of imprisonment or a fine of 
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Php250,000.00 , or both, at the discretion ofthe court. 
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SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision, part or portion of this Act shall be held 
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invalid, the remaining provisions, parts or portions of the Act not otherwise affected thereby 
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shall remain valid and effective. 
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, executive issuances, orders and rules and 
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regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act, or any part thereof, are hereby repealed, 
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amended andlor modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 79. Effectivity. -
This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the Official 
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Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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