Philippines' Duterte keeps open pit mining ban in policy clash

By Manolo Serapio JrMANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has not lifted a ban on open pit mining, his spokesman said on Monday, going against the stance of a government panel and the environment minister who are seeking to reverse the policy.Open pit mining is allowed under the laws of the Southeast Asian country, the world's top nickel ore exporter.The Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC), an inter-agency panel that makes recommendations on mining policy, last month as