AusIMM, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has appointed Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA) President, Joey Nelson R. Ayson as International Representative in the Philippines in May 2025.
The International Representative is a voluntary, appointed position by AusIMM, which is the peak professional body for people in the global resources sector.. The role entails that a Representative must be a current financial member of AusIMM residing in the country outside of Australia or New Zealand.
The International Representative's responsibilities include:
-- Be the main point of contact for AusIMM activities and members in that country.
-- Provide advice to AusIMM on local mining industry updates, regulations, projects, and news for inclusion in AusIMM newsletter and for AusIMM to meet its international strategic objectives.
-- Collaborate with AusIMM to deliver events and initiatives for local members.
-- Represent AusIMM at relevant local functions, events and meetings.
The AusIMM International Representative may wish to form and Chair a small supporting committee to assist with the above responsibilities. AusIMM is a professional organization representing professionals in the global resources sector, including mining, metallurgy, and geoscience.
Joey Ayson with Stephen Durkin, CEO of AusIMM at GRX25 in Brisbane (Photo credit: Joey Ayson)
---
Year-End PMEA Meeting
For the last meeting of the year for the PMEA, Ayson reported the Industry Updates and PMEA Matters. This was held on October 6, 2025.
Engr. Jerome Magdato (Environmental Scientist, GHD PTY LTD) was the hi-lite speaker with the topic "GHD Emission Estimation: Vegetation Clearing".
Ma. Donna Del Moro (Acting Superintendent - Environment, Oceana Gold Philippines, Inc.) reported the topic "Harmony in Diversity (HiD) Effect in Mine Rehabilitation".
Tata Corpuz (Business Development Manager, Austrade) announced that the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) will hold a trade mission entitled “Australian Innovation for Sustainable Mining in the Philippines” on November 17 to 20, 2025, with events in Manila and Baguio.
The Bar Sponsor for this PMEA Meeting was GHD PTY LTD.
Ma. Donna Del Moro (Acting Superintendent - Environment, Oceana Gold Philippines, Inc.
---
DENR - MGB and OTHER UPDATES
Ayson reported the following updates pertaining to mining laws, guidelines, and regulations.
-- RA 12253 Mining Fiscal Regime- Signed on September 04, 2025- IRR to be completed in 3 months by DOF- Each mining claim is a separate taxable entity
-- RA 12238 Panaon Island Protected Seascape - Signed on August 29, 2025 - 61,204-hectare marine sanctuary covering the waters surrounding Panaon Island
-- RA 12237 Mt Sawtooth Protected Landscape - Located in the municipalities of Mayantoc and San Jose, Tarlac
-- RA 12252 – Amendment of Investors’ Lease Act - Allows foreign investors to lease land up to 99 years - Must have an approved investment project under the Foreign Investments Act of 1991
-- RA 12287 – Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act - Empowers the government to act before a calamity strikes - Based on a pre-disaster risk assessment, which must show highly probable catastrophic effects - At least 3 - 5 days of lead time for the government to prepare.
PMEA President Joey Nelson R. Ayson during the October PMEA Monthly Membership Meeting
MGB New OIC RD XII
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau XII announced the designation of Engr. John Mikel P. Ansao as the new Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Regional Director of MGB-XII, pursuant to DENR Special Order No. 2025-694, issued by DENR Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla dated September 23, 2025.
Engr. Ansao will serve as OIC Regional Director in concurrent capacity as Chief of the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MSESDD).
4th ASEAN MINERAL AWARDS
-- Northern Cement Corporation – Best Practices in Non-metallic Mineral Processing (Winner)
-- Hinatuan Mining Corporation Tagana-an – Best Practices in Metallic Mineral Distribution (Winner)
-- Eagle Cement Corporation - Best Practices in Non-metallic Mineral Mining (First Runner-Up)
-- FCF Minerals - Best Practices in Metallic Mineral Processing (Runner-Up)
-- Carrascal Nickel Corporation – Best Practices in Metallic Mineral Mining (Runner-Up
METALLIC PRODUCTION H1 2025 (From MGB)
-- PhP 135.6B (2025) vs PhP 117.8B (2024): 15.1% increase
-- Au (59%); Ni (29.4%); Cu (10.1%)
-- Drop in production for Cu, Ni, Cr
-- Excise tax collected – PhP 3.11B
-- Royalties from Mineral Reservations – PhP 940.24M
-- Additional Government Share – PhP 466.86M (OGPI) & PhP 29.22 (HMC)
