Philippines could suspend more mines in environmental crackdown

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines could suspend more mines amid an environmental crackdown that has so far halted operations of 10 mines, a government minister said on Wednesday. "Yes," Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez told Reuters when asked if there is a risk of more mines being suspended. The agency is on track to complete an audit of the country's 40 metals mines this month, Leo Jasareno, who is leading the review, said separately. Lopez and Jasareno spoke after a Senate hearing tackling the environment agency's 2017 budget. (Reporting by Manolo Serapio Jr. and Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by David Goodman)