PMEA President as PH Representative for AusIMM in 2026
On March 31, 2026, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) has appointed Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA) President, Joey Nelson R. Ayson as International Representative in the Philippines for the remainder of 2026. This is a continuation of his appointment to the role since 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 roles include:
- to act in alignment with AusIMM's purpose, values and member-focused approach
- to follow the principles and guidance set out in the International Representative Handbook and abide by AusIMM's Code of Ethics
- to contribute to strengthening and engaging the local AusIMM community by helping them stay connected with regional members, stakeholders and opportunities.
In return, AusIMM is committed to supports the International Representative to ensure that his experience is positive and well supported. During his term, he will have access to a dedicated contact within the International Engagement team, and opportunities to contribute to AusIMM activities, insights and initiatives in one's region.
For the position, Mr. Ayson will be the main point of contact for AusIMM activities and members in that country, and represent AusIMM at relevant local functions, events and meetings. His other responsibilities include:
- to 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.
- to collaborate with AusIMM to deliver events and initiatives for local members
PMEA Matters and Industry Updates
On May 4, 2026, Mr. Ayson reported PMEA Matters and Industry Updates during the Monthly Membership Meeting.
The Keynote Speaker for the evening was Atty. Job Adrian M. Ambrosio, President and CEO of Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC). (The details of his presentation are reported on a separate article.)
Members Update - As of April 30, 2026, PMEA has the following membership status: 15 Regular, 61 Associate, 21 Individual, 15 Honorary.
PMEA welcomes new Associate members: KVUA Industrial Supplies, Invest and Trade Western Australia, and Transcendo Global Solutions.
DENR-MGB Updates
Recent Approvals (April 2026)
EP Approvals:
1. Ma. Fraulaine Rapal and Joseph Al Wong - EXPA-000264-XIII - Malimono, Surigao del Norte - Commodity: Ni, etc.
EP Renewals:
1. Atlantic Mines and Trading Corporation - EP-005-2010-III - Dona Remedios, Bulacan - Commodity: Aggregates, Fe ore
MPSA Exploration Period Renewal:
1. Naredico Inc. - MPSA No. 08-92-X - Commodity: Cr
2. 4K Development Corporation - MPSA No.195-2004-V - Commodity: Au
3. Lebach Mining Corporation - MPSA No. 285-2009-IVB (Amend) - Brooke's Point, Palawan - Commodity: Ni
MPSA Approved:
1. Zetosa Mineral Resource Corporation - MPSA No. 360-2026-XI - Banaybanay, Davao Oriental - Commodity: Ni, etc.
COMPANY NEWS
TVIRD Balabag
-- April 2026 production: 3,200 oz Au and 35,500 oz Ag
-- Heap leach facility established in March 2026 and irrigation system being installed
-- Drilling at Phase 14
TVIRD Greenstone (Siana)
-- Produced 1,970 oz Au and 1,544 oz Ag in April 2026
-- Second line in crushing circuit being installed- Phase 1 energization of solar plant (5.3 MW peak)
-- Soil sampling and UAV magnetic survey at Mapawa
TVIRD Mabilo
-- Base camp and office facilities to be built
TVIRD Kingking
-- Resource confirmation and geotechnical drilling
-- Ongoing BFS
TVIRD Pan De Azucar
-- Final Exploration Report submitted
-- Undergoing MPSA renewal process
East Coast Vulcan Mining
-- Reduced authorized capital stock from PhP 12B to PhP 9.6B (PhP 1 to PhP 0.80 per share)
-- Proposed 1:8 stock split to result in PhP 0.10 par value per share
Nickel Asia
-- Acquiring 20% of East Copper / GRK, which controls Karchiga Mine in Kazakhstan
-- Sale subject to due diligence
Philex Mining Corporation
-- Q1 2026 Net loss of PhP 281 M (vs net income of PhP 71M in Q1 2025)
-- Padcal production Q1 2026: 2,227 oz Au and 1,869 lbs Cu- Partial and progressive commissioning of Silangan process plant has commenced
-- Silangan first metal pour within 2026
COMPANY NEWS
(From PMEA Meeting on April 6, 2026)
Atlas Mining
-- 2025 Net loss of PhP 246M (vs net loss of PhP 231M in 2024)
-- 2025 production: 124,000 DMT Cu and 15,894 ozs Au (vs 2024 production: 152,000 DMT Cu and 24,545 oz Au)
Apex Mining
-- 2025 consolidated net income of PhP 7.66B (PhP 4.32B in 2024)
-- Sold in 2025: 100,425 ozs Au and 365,007 ozs Ag
Rapu-Rapu Minerals / Rapu-Rapu Processing
-- First company to be issued a Certificate of Final Relinquishment after successfully implementing its FMR/DP
-- Spent over PhP 1B (over the approved FMR/DP Fund) to complete the rehabilitation
-- Rehabilitated area is now turned over to government and releases the company from any further obligations.
Benguet Corporation
-- 2025 consolidated net income of PhP 760M (PhP 436M in 2024)
-- Engr. Deogracias Halog designated as GM for BGO
Dominion Holdings Inc.
-- Appointment of Isidro Consunji as new Chairman of the Board
-- Possibility of Tampakan and Atlas Mining to be under Dominion
Didipio Mine (OGPI)
-- Paid PhP 506.9M in local business tax for 2026 (PhP 421.9M in 2025)
-- Kasibu (PhP 253.5M), Nagtipunan (PhP 152.1M) and Cabarroguis (PhP 101.4M) : First class municipalities
-- Updated technical report
Metals Exploration / FCF Minerals / Yamang Minerals / Woggle Corporation
-- Allocated PhP 567M for SDMP for 2017-2025 (20 barangays and 3 municipalities)
-- Ongoing FPIC in Abra
Makilala Mining / Celsius Resources
-- Bardin Davis appointed MD of Celsius Resources; search for Non-Executive Chair
-- Ongoing talks with Sodor Inc regarding its 60% shareholding
INDUSTRY UPDATES
Marcopper Tailings Spill (1996)
-- Barrick Gold deposits US$ 50M in escrow for rehabilitation of mine
-- Balance of US$50M to be paid in 3 years
-- Release of liability after US$ 100M payment
Maharlika Investments Corporation
-- Assignment Agreement of its USD 10M loan position with Makilala Mining to Equinaire Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kiri Industries Limited of India. (April 25, 2026)
-- Makilala retains contractual right to prepay the outstanding loan in full within 15 business days from receipt of such notice
-- Loan interest at 12.5% / annum
INDUSTRY UPDATES
(From PMEA Meeting on April 6, 2026)
Fraser Institute 2025 Annual Survey of Mining Companies
-- Philippines- Investment Attractiveness Index 45.85 (vs 77.11 in 2024)
-- Policy Perception Index 39.62 (vs 74.91 in 2024)
PH-Canada MOU on Critical Minerals
-- To be patterned after the Philippines-US MOU signed in February 2026
-- Initially discussed at PDAC
PH-South Korea Partnership on Critical Minerals
-- To be patterned after the Philippines-US MOU signed in February 2026
-- Will cover supply chain security, downstream processing, technology transfer, financing, and standards alignment
2025 PH Metallic Production Summary from MGB (from Mr. Ayson’s PMEA report on March 2, 2026)
