Philippines Fires Warning as Lopez Tells Miners Audit Is Law
- Lopez says suppliers must conform to findings or be suspended
- Results of the audit in top nickel shipper are due next week
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The Philippines said an audit of the nation’s miners will carry the full force of law and producers that don’t follow findings and recommendations face closure, reinforcing its tough message in a showdown in the top nickel producer that may see mass suspensions.
“They have to follow, because if they don’t they face closure,” Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said in a text message from New York, commenting a day after local suppliers challenged the integrity of the probe ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. “I am not suggesting things, I am mandating the law.”