Mindanao is the center of the Philippines' large-scale metallic mining industry, hosting some of the country's largest deposits of nickel, gold, copper, and chromite. Major mining provinces include Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Davao de Oro, South Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Agusan del Sur. Despite mining operations being concentrated in Mindanao, regulatory authority remains centralized under the national government only granting consultative roles to the local government. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), has the exclusive authority to approve large-scale mining projects, issue permits and contracts, enforce environmental and safety standards, and oversee compliance with the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7942).