Over three decades, Paramina International, Inc. has built its capabilities in underground mine development and production, delivering mining services in the Philippines and overseas. Through projects in Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, India, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Hong Kong, and other mining jurisdictions, the company has demonstrated the capability of Filipino mining professionals to operate in diverse and technically demanding environments.
This year, Paramina reached another major milestone after securing the underground development and production contract for the Vang Tat Gold Mine in Attapeu Province, Lao PDR. Awarded by Vang Tat Gold Mine Sole Company, Ltd. under the Vang Tat Mining Group (VMG), the project represents one of Paramina’s most significant international underground mining engagements to date and another important step in the company’s continuing regional growth.
Building the Partnership
The relationship was established in September 2025, when members of the VMG Board of Directors visited the Philippines. The delegation toured Paramina’s Equipment Rebuild Workshop in Silang, Cavite, as well as underground gold mining operations in Davao de Oro, providing VMG with an opportunity to directly assess Paramina’s underground mine development, equipment and operating capabilities.
Paramina’s previous underground mining experience in Vietnam also provided an important connection with VMG. VMG’s Underground Mining Director was familiar with Paramina’s earlier work in the country, including its involvement at the Ban Phuc Nickel Mine and the Bong Mieu and Phuoc Son gold operations. This established track record contributed to Vang Tat Gold Mine’s interest in evaluating Paramina’s capabilities for the underground mine development project.
Following the VMG Board’s visit to the Philippines, Paramina was invited to visit the Vang Tat Gold Mine in Lao PDR. The Paramina delegation comprised senior management and technical personnel, allowing the team to gain a first-hand appreciation of the proposed underground mining works.
After the Vang Tat Gold Mine visit, Paramina was invited to tender for the development and production of VMG’s underground gold mine. Paramina’s engineering team prepared a proposal supported by technical evaluations, production planning, equipment requirements and cost estimates, applying recognised mining-industry practices together with mine-planning and engineering tools.
Post-several site visits and rounds of technical and commercial discussions, Paramina submitted its final bid in early January 2026 and was subsequently selected as VMG’s preferred underground mining contractor. The contract was signed on 4 February 2026.
The Contractor Selection Process
Paramina’s proposal was developed around the client’s stated requirements and demonstrated the company’s understanding of the technical, operational, equipment, and manpower demands associated with establishing an underground mining operation.
According to Paramina’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the company believes its proposal clearly addressed the project requirements and demonstrated the depth of its underground mining experience.
More than three decades of mine development and production contracting gave Paramina a strong foundation for taking on a project of this scale.
Backed by experience from several international mining projects, Paramina continues to demonstrate its ability to mobilize experienced personnel and operate across diverse mining environments. Its Filipino engineers, supervisors, miners, equipment operators, mechanics and technical specialists bring together practical underground experience, adaptability and the ability to work effectively within multinational project teams.
Transitioning from Open Pit to Underground
The Vang Tat Gold Mine has historically been developed through open-pit mining. As mining progresses to deeper areas, the project is transitioning toward underground development to provide access to mineral reserves below the practical limits of the existing open-pit operation.
Paramina’s contracted scope covers underground mine development and production activities, including drilling and blasting, mucking and hauling, ground-support installation, long-hole production drilling, backfilling, and the provision and maintenance of specified underground mining equipment.
Engineering Challenges and Early Progress
Like many underground mining projects, Vang Tat has presented conditions that have required continuing geological, geotechnical and operational assessment as development has progressed. Ground conditions encountered underground have reinforced the importance of maintaining responsive ground-control systems and ensuring that support requirements are reviewed against actual conditions observed at each development heading.
Paramina has been working with Vang Tat’s technical team to respond to the conditions encountered underground and to strengthen the systems supporting safe mine development. This has included continuing review of ground-support requirements, geological and geotechnical observations, operating procedures, quality controls and formal technical interfaces between the owner and contractor.
Groundbreaking activities for the two main portals of the underground development commenced on 15 April 2026, only a few months after contract signing. As the project advances, the joint focus remains on establishing the underground infrastructure, operating systems and technical controls required to support safe, consistent and sustainable mine development and, ultimately, production.
Building a Team for the Future
The project is led and supported by a management and technical team with more than 100 years of combined experience in underground mining project start-ups, mine development and the transition to production, applying recognised global mining practices and standards. Paramina’s presence in Lao PDR is supported through its locally registered operating entity, Paramina Lao Sole Company, Ltd.
At peak operations, the project is expected to employ a substantial multidisciplinary workforce, with Filipino mining professionals working alongside Lao, Vietnamese and other project personnel while supporting their development through training and knowledge transfer.
The project provides an opportunity to demonstrate not only Filipino underground mining capability, but also the ability of Philippine mining professionals to transfer knowledge, develop local capability and work effectively within a multicultural operating environment.
In support of its establishment and operations in Lao PDR, Paramina has also engaged with relevant Lao and Philippine government and diplomatic representatives, including the Philippine Embassy in Lao PDR
and appropriate Lao government agencies in Vientiane. Worthy of note, the Lao Embassy in the Philippines has also provided valuable assistance to Paramina.
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Looking Ahead
For Paramina, the Vang Tat Gold Mine project represents more than a significant commercial achievement. It is an important milestone in the company’s development as an international underground mining contractor and an opportunity to demonstrate how more than three decades of Philippine underground mining experience can be applied in an increasingly competitive regional mining industry.
As underground development progresses, Paramina remains focused on delivering safe, technically disciplined and high-quality mining services.
Having been awarded the contract was an important achievement, but the company’s success will ultimately be measured by its ability to deliver on its commitments, work constructively with Vang Tat and contribute to the safe and sustainable development of the Vang Tat Gold Mine.
