MANILA, Feb 2 (Reuters) - The Philippines will close down at...

MANILA, Feb 2 (Reuters) - The Philippines will close down at least five nickel mines and suspend others, including the country's top gold producer, the minister in charge of the mining sector said on Thursday, as a government campaign to fight environmental degradation deepens.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez ordered the closure of at least seven mines, including five nickel ore producers, and the suspension of a gold mine operated by Australia's Oceanagold Corp (OGC) , for causing environmental destruction.

"Why is mining more important than people's lives?," Lopez told a media briefing.

The Philippines is the world's top nickel ore supplier.