In the nickel provinces along the Pacific coast, the day begins with a quiet defiance of tradition. Before sunrise, a woman heads to a mine site carved into the laterite hills. By first light, she is already in the field—examining rock faces and collecting samples, reading the earth like a story that may reveal whether the deposit holds promise. At six...

As the Philippines continues to pursue economic growth through the development of its natural resources, the relevance of laws, policies, and regulatory institutions has never been more critical. The 2025 Geological Convention (GeoCon 2025), held in celebration of the Geological Society of the Philippines’ 80th Oak Jubilee, brought together geoscientis...

As we celebrate International Women’s Month this March, I am reflecting on how our organization, Diwata – Women in Resource Development, Inc. (“Diwata”) has presented itself as a platform for enabling women's leadership through mentoring and presenting examples of strong women leaders in the mining industry.  On 18 November 2025, on the sidelines of th...

Days ago, the U.S. Supreme Court did something deceptively old-fashioned: it reminded a president that tariffs are not a vibe, not a threat, not a negotiating posture — but a tax, and taxes belong to Congress. In Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (decided Feb. 20, 2026), the Court held 6–3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) do...

By Noel B. Lazaro and Reeno E. Febrero There are moments in geopolitics when the choreography matters less than the quiet exchanges behind it. In late October in Busan, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping staged one of those scenes: a handshake, a photo-op, and a declaration that the rare-ea...

Minerals, Data, and a New Kind of Resource Wealth  By Fernando Penarroyo  The Philippines has long been recognized as one of the world’s most mineral-rich countries. With deposits of nickel, copper, and gold, it plays a vital role in global supply chains, especially at a time when electric cars, batteries, and renewable energy systems are driving de...

The Philippines has long been known as one of the world’s most mineralized countries, but continues to grapple with unlocking its full mining potential. For decades, red tape, policy uncertainty, and public distrust have kept investors away, even as the country sat atop the proverbial pot of gold.   However, this year’s leap in the 2024 Fraser Institut...

Over the past decade and a half, the Philippine mining industry has experienced a dynamic and often turbulent journey shaped by evolving government policies, environmental activism, shifts in global commodity markets, and new technological and economic priorities.   From 2010 to 2025, the sector has witnessed sweeping regulatory reforms, the rise and f...

In the intensifying global race for critical minerals—crucial components in electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy (RE) technologies, advanced electronics, and other strategic industries—the Philippines stands at a pivotal juncture in this global energy transition. With abundant reserves of nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements, the country h...

On July 4, 2025, I sat in a crowded forum in Quezon City as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) hosted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) policy direction. The atmosphere was subdued. No questions, no applause lines. Yet the rollout deserves a closer look, not for its promises, but for what it might enable. Signed in Februar...

In August, I attended the launch of Unilab Education (UniEd), the Unilab Group’s response to a longstanding national challenge: the mismatch between graduates’ skills and the available jobs.    At this event, attended by the Secretary of Education, the Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Chair of th...

In our ever-evolving world, the demand for minerals and energy is growing faster than ever. From the smartphones in our pockets to the electricity powering our homes, these natural resources play a vital role in our everyday lives. But finding them—hidden deep underground or beneath the ocean floor—is no easy task.   Fortunately, science and technology...

By Ronald S. Recidoro, Executive Director, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines After more than a decade of uncertainty and policy flip-flops, the reconciled version of the Mining Fiscal Regime Bill, once signed, will mark a turning point in Philippine mineral policy. It is not just the culmination of years of legislative advocacy; it is the resolution ...

The interplay of geopolitics and natural resources has become increasingly pronounced in modern times, with countries vying for access to critical minerals vital for economic and technological development. Recent events, such as the hostility between Israel and Iran, with the United States striking Iran’s three nuclear sites, have significant ripple ef...

The reassertion of the "America First" policy under the renewed Trump administration in 2025 has reshaped global trade, energy, and strategic relations. At the heart of this shift is a clear prioritization of US economic sovereignty, energy independence, and critical mineral security. Under Trump 2.0, this approach prioritizes fossil fuel expansion, domes...

(Conclusion)  By Noel B. Lazaro, Eveart Grace P. Claro, Judd Yonder L. Reyes, and Marielle D. Marbella The global push for sustainability has reached a tipping point, compelling industries to accelerate their decarbonization efforts. Nowhere is this more critical than in mining—a sector paradoxically essential for the green transition yet burdened b...