Celsius’ Sagay Project Exploration Permit Extended

By: Philippine Resources July 11, 2022

Photo credit: Celsius Resources

Celsius Resources is pleased to announce that the Philippine Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has granted a six month extension to the exploration permit for the Sagay Copper-Gold Project, extending the permit term up to February 2024.

The Sagay Project is held under Celsius’ Philippine subsidiary Tambuli Mining Company, Inc. (“TMCI”).

In a letter to TMCI, the MGB stated that the request for extension was approved as it falls under the definition of force majeure or justifiable causes under the Philippine Mining Act.(1)

“The MGB was extremely supportive of granting the permit extension to provide enough time for the company to carry out our approved work programs as part of developing the Sagay mineral resource into an economically viable project in support to the national government’s economic recovery efforts,” said Celsius Resources Executive Chairman Martin Buckingham.

The grant of extension is consistent with the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework under the new Marcos Administration, affirming his predecessor’s (Duterte Administration) recognition of mining as among the country’s major economic growth sectors.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on 6 July 2022, Philippines Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno acknowledged the mining industry’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and most recently conveyed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s expressed desire to revive the mining industry.

Industry leaders, including the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, welcomed the government’s economic strategy as it will provide a much-needed boost to an industry that has been saddled with policy roadblocks in previous years.

“This pronouncement from the Finance Secretary is a clear manifestation of the Philippine government’s continued strong support and renewed commitment to revitalise the local mining industry. It will further boost the potential of developing MCB and Sagay Mineral Resources into economically viable and socially transformative mining projects that will strictly adhere to ESG principles and significantly contribute to the Philippine National Economic Recovery Program,” said Atty. Julito R. Sarmiento, President of Makilala Mining Co. Inc. (MMCI) and Tambuli Mining Co Inc. (TMCI) both Philippine subsidiaries of Celsius Resources.

The Philippine Mining Industry played a significant role in the country’s economic growth amid the pandemic, contributing about PhP102.3 Billion to the GDP in 2020, according to a report by the Philippine Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB).

The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is ramping up its efforts in attracting investors for the mining industry under its “Make it Happen in the Philippines Investment” campaign. DTI is banking on the copper industry as one of the five key sectors to attract foreign investments for the extraction and manufacturing of high-value copper products industry.

This is a timely development as Celsius continues to seek for a joint venture partner that shares the same principles and vision to develop the Sagay property in a sustainable manner. The same can be said for the MCB project as it progresses with its applications for a Declaration of Mine Project Feasibility and Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA).

 

Article courtesy of Celsius Resources


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