The Tampakan Copper Mine Project is one of the world’s largest underdeveloped copper and gold mining project located in the southernmost part of Mindanao. It is held under an FTAA agreement by Sagittarius Mines Inc. The project obtained an FTAA that expires in 2038, and renewable for another 25 years.
Mr Roy Deveraturda is a retired Lieutenant General in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and is currently the President & CEO of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. – the FTAA holder of the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project.
The Tampakan Copper-Gold Project covers about 10,000 hectares located between the towns of Tampakan in South Cotabato and Kiblawan in Davao del Sur. Commercial operations are expected to begin by 2026.
As keynote speaker at the Philippine Mining Club Luncheon last August 4, 2023, he discussed the factors affecting the project and a discourse on improving their way ahead in the mining industry.
“A project of this size has the potential to be a key driver in economic prosperity, industrial growth and social development not only in its host communities, but more so for the entire island of Mindanao, and the country as a whole,” he said.
“It will create thousands of jobs, build roads and other life sustaining infrastructures. It will also bring basic utilities like clean water and low-cost electricity to the communities. It could provide solutions to poverty, ignorance, hunger, and disease.”
Mr Deveraturda explained that a mining project can achieve these through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). He further discussed this last November 2022 as keynote speaker at the Philippine Mining and Exploration Association meeting in Makati where he said, “The company is committed to responsible and sustainable development with ESG at the core of managing the project. The project is a national priority considering that the mining industry is acknowledged by the government's economic team as an indispensable contributor to Philippine economic growth -- the greatest potential to be the key driver in economic recovery and long-term goals. At the moment, all regulatory approvals have been completed.” [1]
The Tampakan project has been earlier opposed by several anti-mining groups due to their apprehension towards its effects on the environment. However, Mr Deveraturda assures that the company will apply modern technology to also protect the environment and the people in the communities covered by the project.
He also mentioned that in the near future, they will release a timeline of the project.
Many people often ask how is his military training is related or helpful in his current role in the mining industry. He explained that in the military, one is trained to become a leader and how to solve problems, and not to complain when things are difficult -- to develop a strong mind, resilience, and discipline when in a difficult mission.
Mr Deveraturda is one the most decorated officers of the AFP. During his career in the Philippine Air Force, he had more than 50 combat missions. He held the highest aircrew qualifications as Test Pilot, Flight Commander, Instructor Pilot, and Flight Examiner.
In August 17, 2014, he retired as a Lieutenant General in Philippine Air Force after having commanded the AFP's entire Visayas area and then the Western Philippine Area, including the West Philippine Sea. He was in charge of the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief for the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. He was the Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary for the Plans and Programs in 2015.
He joined the mining industry in 2018 when he was recruited to be the President of Carmen Copper Corp. “My job was to ensure that the company will pass the extracting audit procedures being undertaken by the then Secretary of DENR, the late Gina Lopez.” [1]
From there he now moved and have been appointed in May 2022 as President of Sagittarius Mines Inc. to bring the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project towards construction and development at the soonest possible time.
On the second half of the industry forum, Jose Daniel “Gino” Belgira discussed “Accelerating Last Mile Digitalization with Innovative Satellite Technology”. As the National Partnership Manager of Kacific Broadband Satellites Group, Mr Gino oversees the distribution channel operations, cultivates local partnerships and resellers to connect communities across the country.
Kacific Broadband Satellite, Inc. (or Kacific) was founded in 2013. The company is next-generation satellite operator that aims to provide affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband services across Asia and the Pacific. What is special about Kacific’s technology is that they use advanced Ka-band space and ground communications technologies to provide innovative services to their clients, include mining companies.
Business Excellence Awards in Singapore named Kacific as “Satellite Company of the Year 2023”. Their product called “CommsBox” was also named “Achievement in Product Innovation” for effectively solving problems in disaster-prone locations.
Locally, in the International Finance 11th Annual Awards 2023, Kacific was also awarded as the Best Broadband Satellite Operator in the Philippines. Additionally, in the International Business Magazine Awards 2023, the company was honored as the “Best Satellite Company in the Philippines 2023”.
Later in the afternoon, a Panel Discussion was held, moderated by Atty Patricia A. O. Bunye who was also the emcee of the Luncheon. She is Senior Partner and Deputy Managing Partner of Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia Law Firm. The discussion featured Mr Roy Deveraturda and Mr Ferdinand Simbulan (Sales Director of Kacific Broadband Satellites Group).
Kacific Broadband Satellites Group and Satnet are the Event Partners for this month’s PMC Luncheon.
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The Philippine Mining Club (PMC) is a regular professional networking forum that brings industries together and creates opportunities. Their events aim to lift the profile of the Philippine minerals industry and highlight its contribution to growth and employment in the Philippine economy.
Philippine Mining Club is affiliated with the Melbourne Mining Club.
For more information on PMC’s future events, please visit their website at https://www.philippineminingclub.com/ .
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Reference:
[1] Villegas, Marcelle (March 14, 2023). “Gen. Deveraturda’s Update on the Tampakan Project”. Philippine Resources Journal. Retrieved from -
https://www.philippine-resources.com/articles/2023/3/general-deveraturda
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Photos: by Marcelle P. Villegas for Philippine Resources Journal
