Silangan Mindanao Mining Co., Inc. (SMMCI) marked another milestone on Thursday, August 28, 2025, completing the long-planned tunnel connection to the Exhaust Drive and establishing the project’s full underground ventilation series.
The achievement, considered a critical safety and engineering requirement, was reached earlier than expected. Originally scheduled for September 6, the breakthrough was completed at 12:20 p.m. on August 28.
“This is not just an engineering feat—it’s a commitment to our people,” SMMCI said in a statement. “After all, the most important thing to come out of the mine is the miner.”
The breakthrough links the Level 95 underground workings to Shaft 2 bottom, which will serve as the main exhaust shaft of the mine. While Shaft 2 has not yet been activated for exhausting air, the tunnel now provides a crucial pathway for used air to exit the mine. Once the remaining drives from the South Ore perimeter are completed, the full ventilation cycle will be operational.
Just hours after connecting Shaft 2 to the Exhaust Drive, another team completed the South Ore perimeter drive, achieving back-to-back breakthroughs ahead of schedule. These were made possible through the coordinated efforts of the survey team led by Engr. Benzyl Moran Metran, Mine Division Manager Engr. Efren R. Buada Jr., Operations Manager Engr. Wilfredo Mariano, and the support of the Mine Engineering, geology, and dewatering departments.
Prior to the breakthrough, Philex Mining Corporation and SMMCI President and CEO Engr. Eulalio B. Austin Jr. conducted his regular monthly site walk at the Silangan Project. Donning boots and a hardhat, Austin reviewed underground progress with the technical team and project leaders, underscoring his hands-on leadership style.
His visit came as construction advances on several fronts: the nearing completion of the tailings storage facility in Sison, the build-out of the process plant, and the underground development of the Sta. Barbara 1 deposit, where fresh ore production is targeted by late 2025.
Austin reaffirmed that the Silangan Project remains on track to be commissioned by the end of this year, with first metals expected by March 2026. “We want to deliver a world-class project that meets the highest standards of efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility,” he said.
Beyond technical achievements, the company emphasized its broader mission to create opportunities for local communities, strengthen partnerships with host local government units, and contribute meaningfully to the Philippine economy.
With its vast copper and gold deposits, SMMCI sees Silangan as a “blueprint for progress” — a venture that aspires to global competitiveness while practicing responsible mining and sharing long-term prosperity with its stakeholders.
