President Rodrigo Duterte named Roy Cimatu as replacement environment secretary for Regina Lopez, a move welcomed by miners but opposed by environmental groups, Reuters reported.
New Zealand's largest gold producer, Oceana Gold, has a hugely profitable gold-copper mine in the northern island of Luzon. The mine is being further developed, going underground.
Ms Lopez became a radical reformist, initiating mining reviews. She suspended 10 mines before the end of last year and warned 20 more they were at risk of being halted for environmental breaches.
Oceana Gold was issued a suspension order in February as environmental issues were raised, but was allowed to continue operating its Didipio mine because it had immediately appealed to the Office of the President.
Oceana was contacted for comment but said that, as it was still in the appeal process, it could not comment on the recent developments.
Ms Lopez raised the stakes in February and ordered closure of 22 of the country's 41 mines, then cancelled 75 contracts for undeveloped mines, and last month banned open-pit mining.
There are generally months-long gaps before presidential appointments are confirmed, and Ms Lopez was dismissed last week by a panel of lawmakers who scrutinised President Duterte's earlier appointments.
Taking a more moderate stance than his predecessor, Mr Cimatu said he would allow mining in the country as long as it was done responsibly.
''For me, I think we can allow mining [as long as] it's responsible, it does not destroy the environment, as long as it's properly handled,'' Mr Cimatu, a former army general, said.
-Additional reporting by Reuters
