http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=Pa...

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=Palace-defers-mining-order&id=47612

Nothing surprising about the delay. The excuse given is that Cabinet are considering the submissions made by industry bodies to address areas of concern raised in the (genuine) draft policy. So that might be a good thing.

On the singular issue of concern to Apples, i.e. the ban, both the Philippine Chamber of Mines and the Philippine Mining and Exploration Association have been urging the government to have the policy "assert its ownership over mineral resources" and "resolve the conflicts" between national and local laws.

Only time (how much of it - who knows) will tell if the government amends the (genuine) draft policy sufficiently to placate those concerned.