‘Better-than-Canada’ is Philippine reform cry as mines shut

The Philippines deepened a crackdown on its mining industry on Wednesday as world’s top nickel shipper announced it will suspend more than 10 mines in addition to 10 halts that have already been made, saying it wants to surpass Canadian and Australian standards. The government is finalising results of an environmental audit and will make recommendations on what companies should do after their suspension, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez told reporters in Manila. She didn’t identify which mines were included in the latest round, with details now due Monday.