Since its founding in 2015, the Philippine Youth Association for Responsible Mining and Natural Resources (YAMAN Philippines) has inspired the youth to become advocates of responsible mining and the sustainable utilization of natural resources. It also serves as a platform for aspiring earth scientists and engineers to deepen their understanding of the minerals industry.

As a national youth-led organization, YAMAN Philippines is committed to promoting the importance of the minerals industry and addressing misconceptions surrounding mining. This year, the movement stands stronger than ever as it prepares to guide the next generation of student leaders toward sustainable resource stewardship.

Carrying this mission forward, YAMAN Philippines is preparing for the 11th YAMAN Student Congress, happening on November 17–20, 2026, at Hotel Henrico in Baguio City. This year’s four-day gathering will be guided by the theme “True North: Exploring What Lies Ahead.”

The Congress will welcome delegates from 14 universities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao: Adamson University, Batangas State University, Bicol University, Caraga State University, Cebu Institute of Technology – University, Mapúa University, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Negros Oriental State University, Partido State University, Saint Louis University, Saint Paul University – Surigao, Silliman University, University of the Philippines - Diliman, and the University of Southeastern Philippines. Together, these young minds will gather under one roof to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and build meaningful connections.

The Congress will feature a series of activities designed to encourage delegates to apply their knowledge, test their leadership skills, and strengthen their commitment to responsible development. Combining educational engagements, friendly competitions, and community-centered initiatives, the four-day event will offer a dynamic learning experience. Activities include a Mine Environment Immersion at the Northern Cement Corp, Tree Planting, Palarong Minero, the Youth Leaders Forum: Organizational Excellence, the Youth Leaders Forum: Round Table Discussion, a Quiz Bee, and a Debate Competition.

The Congress will also feature the much-anticipated 4th YAMAN Awards, which will recognize outstanding youth-led initiatives, organizations, and individuals that have made a significant impact in their communities. Meanwhile, the Mister and Miss YAMAN Philippines competition will crown inspiring ambassadors who champion responsible mining and environmental stewardship.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to meet and engage with industry professionals through the Mine Exhibit and Welcome Night at the 72nd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference. Speakers, judges, sponsors, and members of the YAMAN Alumni Network will also grace the event, further enriching the delegates’ experience and fostering connections across the minerals industry.

On the final day of the Congress, the delegates will join the Philippine mining industry in a grand parade from SM Baguio City to the Melvin Jones Grandstand. Marching together, they will stand united in strength and solidarity, demonstrating that the future of the minerals industry is built not only on shared goals but also on collective responsibility.

Over the past 11 years, the YAMAN Student Congress has engaged more than 3,000 students, inspiring them to become advocates for responsible mining and sustainable resource management. Beyond the Congress, YAMAN Philippines continues to advance its mission through initiatives such as Biyaheng YAMAN, which shares responsible mining practices; KampanYAMAN, its advocacy campaign focused on environmental awareness and mining education; and PAGYAMANIN, a seminar series introducing college students to career opportunities in the minerals industry.

See you in Baguio. Be one with YAMAN!

Philippine Resources Journal invites our readers to Kuala Lumpur because the Philippines should be part of ASEAN’s steel conversation not only as a buyer of steel, but as a resource market with upstream iron-ore potential and a growing need for resilient domestic steelmaking.

Worldsteel records Philippine crude-steel output at about 1.8 Mt in 2025, compared with 8.7 Mt of steel imports. That makes the country highly exposed to regional trade flows and prices - while creating a clear strategic case for stronger domestic capacity and diversified feedstock.

The summit’s iron ore, scrap and EAF discussions are especially relevant for Philippine mining and resources companies. They connect upstream geology and supply with the mills, traders and technology providers deciding where ASEAN’s next steelmaking investments will land.

What makes this summit useful is the mix: market intelligence, operating technology, raw-material strategy and face-to-face access to companies that are actually buying, producing, financing, transporting and transforming steel across the region.

Meet announced industry leaders

• Adam Fan, Chairman, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)
• Afzal Mohsin, Chief of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, APAC, Vale
• Anurag Pandey, President & CEO, Tata Steel Thailand
• M Akbar Djohan, Chairman / President Director, Indonesian Iron and Steel Industry Association (IISIA) / PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk
• Sanjay Mehta, President / Director, Material Recycling Association of India (Philippine Resources Journal) / MTC Group
• Jason Ang, Director of Sustainability, Meranti Green Steel
• Osma Nadeem, Executive Director, Better Deals
• Görkem Bolaca, Managing Director, Galex Steel International
• Logan Lu, CEO, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)
• Mohammad Imtiaz Uddin Chowdhury, Head of Sales and Marketing, BSRM

 Attending Companies, exhibitors and sponsors (PART)

• Tata Steel Thailand (Public) Co Ltd
• Thyssenkrupp Materials Trading GmbH
• MTC Group Pvt Ltd
• Vale
• Ispat Exports Pvt Ltd
• Galex Steel International
• Meranti Green Steel
• NEXTGEN METALS CORP
• Pebsteel（PEB Steel Buildings）
• Primetals
• PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk
• Better Deals
• FERRIS METAL RECYCLERS PTY LTD
• Fu group
• Qiansen Machinery
• Ricova
• Sanbao Group Co.,Ltd
• SteelGiant Commodity DMCC
• Synergy Recycling
• VALIN STEEL (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
• Welcome Trading Co Pte Ltd
• Jiangsu South Technology Co., Ltd.
• KERUN
• PSI
• Guangxi Shenglong Metallurgy Co., Ltd.
• Guangzhou Jiefeng New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.

Delegate Benefits:

Philippine Resources Journal Delegates enjoy benefits including both conference days, exhibition access, Q&A, the one-to-one meeting platform and meeting lounge, event materials, networking coffee and lunch.

During the PMEA Monthly Membership Meeting on July 6, 2026, the winner of the First PMEA Best Undergraduate Thesis Award was honored. The 2026 Best Undergraduate Thesis Award Winner is Moreen Ashlei Lacsamana for her thesis "Ore and Alteration Paragenesis of the Guinaoang Porphyry Copper-Gold Stockwork Mineralization” at Mankayan Mineral District, Benguet, Philippines. Her Thesis Adviser is Dr. Jill Gabo-Ratio.

PhilEnergy Expo 2026, a comprehensive 3-day energy trade event, was held from June 24 to 26, 2026 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. The event focused on advancing clean energy, sustainable power technologies, and national energy security, with the theme “Shaping the Philippine Energy Sector for a Sustainable Future”.

Belgium will host the 2026 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Global Conference in Brussels on Oct. 8-9, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, investors, civil society organizations and development partners to discuss transparency, accountability and governance in the extractive sector.

The conference, which will be co-hosted by the Belgian government and the European Commission, will serve as a platform for the global EITI community to address challenges and opportunities facing the mining, oil and gas industries amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, economic uncertainty and the accelerating energy transition.

Beyond the main conference sessions, EITI said a week-long series of institutional meetings and peer-learning events will be held. A key highlight will be the EITI Members' Meeting, during which members will select and elect the EITI Board chair and board members for the 2026-2029 term.

The announcement comes after the postponement of the 2026 Global Conference, which had been scheduled to take place in the Philippines in June.

EITI previously said the postponement was linked to the Philippine government's declaration of a national energy emergency, a move influenced by the continuing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on global energy markets.

The conference is EITI's premier global gathering and is held periodically to advance international efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources. Discussions typically focus on revenue disclosure, governance reforms, anti-corruption measures and the role of extractive industries in supporting sustainable development.

By bringing the event to Brussels, EITI aims to provide a forum for stakeholders to exchange experiences, share best practices and strengthen cooperation as governments and industries navigate increasingly complex economic, environmental and energy-related challenges.

Philippine Mining and Exploration Association Monthly Membership Meeting welcomed Engr. Larry M. Heradez as the newly-appointed Director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Engr. Heradez is a graduate of Mapua University, and has a career in MGB that spans for more than 30 years. In the past, he served as regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the Caraga region, based in Surigao City. In this role, he oversaw mining regulation and geoscience programs in this region where several large-scale mining operations is based. Caraga region is known as a major mining hub for the Philippines.

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 Philippine nickel industry is seen a play a larger role in global critical mineral supply.

The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) reported that the Philippine nickel sector is poised to play a larger role in global critical minerals supply chains as demand rises and geopolitical risks reshape sourcing strategies for key resources. This was their message during the PNIA's Industry Outlook Media RTD on March 26, 2026 at Seda Hotel, Bonifacio Global City. The event was sponsored by British Embassy Manila.

The Philippines' environmental regulator has inducted 20 newly appointed and promoted personnel as part of efforts to strengthen its capacity to manage environmental protection programs and regulatory functions nationwide.

The oath-taking ceremony, held on May 26 at the Environmental Management Bureau's conference facility within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources compound in Quezon City, marked the fourth such event conducted by the bureau this year.

The event was led by Jacqueline A. Caancan, who administered the oath and encouraged the newly inducted employees to pursue excellence in public service.

"Today is meaningful for it is a product of your hard work. Your presence today reinforces the unity of our Bureau," Caancan said during the ceremony.

"Always look for opportunities to shine. Find your niche, shine and give your best."

Officials from the Environmental Management Bureau's central office and selected regional offices attended the event, which recognized personnel from several regions across the country.

Of the 20 employees who took their oath, 19 attended in person, including personnel from the central office, the National Capital Region, Region 1 and the CALABARZON region. One employee from Region 6 participated virtually.

The Environmental Management Bureau said the appointments and promotions reflect its ongoing efforts to build a highly capable workforce that can support the implementation of environmental policies, regulatory oversight and sustainable development initiatives.

As the primary environmental regulatory arm of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the bureau oversees environmental impact assessment processes, pollution control programs, air and water quality management, waste management regulations and compliance monitoring for industrial and resource-sector projects.

The bureau said the expertise and commitment of the newly appointed and promoted personnel will help strengthen its ability to protect and manage the country's natural resources, advance regulatory excellence and improve environmental outcomes for communities across the Philippines.

MAEM International Inc., the Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers, held its 32nd Annual Mining Symposium and Exhibits on April 29 and 30 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang, Davao City, drawing 281 registered participants and featuring 45 exhibit booths with 100 exhibitors. 

Malaysian Consul General Muhammad Ikhawan Ariff Muhammad Yusof, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Vice-Consul Nuraisyahida Mohd Shabudin, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region XI Regional Director Beverly Brebante, Philippine Society of Mining Engineers National President Francisco J. Arañes Jr., MAEM President Alfredo T. Relampagos and MAEM officers and directors. 

The event opened with a cultural dance performance by the Sahaya Dance Collective. 

In his opening remarks, Relampagos introduced the symposium theme, “Resilient Mining Footprint,” and called on the industry to consider long-term impact alongside resource extraction. 

The program also included a message from Arañes and a keynote address by Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno.  

On the second day, Siegfried Flaviano delivered the keynote message on behalf of South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. 

The symposium also included a tribute to the late Engr. Alex Baligod, who died in November 2025. Organizers held a moment of silence and presented a commemorative video in recognition of his contributions to the organization and the mining industry. 

Technical sessions on the first afternoon and second day focused on the symposium theme’s core areas, including economic growth, environmental care, community partnership, and technology in mining. 

Presentations covered mineral supply chains, porphyry copper exploration, global reporting standards, resource-to-reserve conversion, underground stability systems, and constraint-based mine planning.  

Other discussions tackled blast quality, geosynthetics, SLAM mapping, IoT-enabled rockfall risk management, landslide susceptibility modeling, remote-controlled excavation, UAV-based drafting, digital mine solutions, watershed modeling, and sustainable mine closure. 

Speakers and presenters included: 

1.  Quo Vadis Mining: Securing sustainable mineral supply chains through resource nationalism and global cooperation - Asec. Michael V. Cabalda, Assistant Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (represented by MGB-XI RD Beverly Mae M. Brebante)  

2.  Revisiting a Historical Mine: New Insights from the Amacan Porphyry Copper Deposit - Geol. Juan Alex Vianne D. Amoroso, Asia-Alliance Mining Resources Corporation  

3. PMRC 2020: Strengthening the Foundation of Mindanao’s Mining Industry through Global Reporting Standards - Geol. Darwin Edmund L. Riguer, Apex Mining Company, Inc.  

4.  Converting Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves - Engr. Constancio A. Paye, Jr., Alliance of Responsible Miners in Region XI (ARMOR XI)  

5.  Injection Resin Systems for Challenging Ground Conditions: Enhancing Safety and Stability in Underground Excavations - Mr. Robert Penczek, SANDVIK  

6.  Optimizing Short-Term Mine Planning: A Constraint-Based Scheduling Approach - Engr. Daryl P. Suarez, Paramina International Inc.  

7.  Improving Bench Floor Conditions Through ORICA’S Blast Quality Service - Engr. Donald B. Rivo, ORICA Philippines, Inc.  

8.  Advancing Mining Infrastructure with Geosynthetics: Performance, Protection, and Sustainability - Engr. Sairille Faye F. del Rosario, Arizona Geosynthetics, Inc.  

9.  Advanced SLAM Technology: Revolutionizing High-Precision Mapping from Underground Mines to Urban Infrastructure - Engr. Luis Alberto Elneser Gonzales, Tersus GNSS  

10. Building a Resilient Mining Footprint with IoT-Enabled Rockfall Risk Management: Integrating Geohazard-monitoring with Drapery and Dynamic Barriers for Safer and Smarter Mine Operations - Engr. Jeric Ivan Aguilar, Maccaferri Philippines, Inc.  

11. Morphometric Analysis with Geospatial and Geotechnical Technologies for Tiered Landslide Susceptibility Modeling: A Case Study of Apex Mining Operations - Geol. Louie Jay T. Tubio, Apex Mining Company, Inc.  

12. Brokk Underground: Transforming Mechanical Excavation in Tight Mining Spaces - Mr. Haren Subra, Brokk Asia Pacific Pte Ltd (Singapore)  

13. Aerial Drafting via YOLO11n and YOLO11n-Seg - Engr. Mark John S. Pag-alaman, University of Southeastern Philippines  

14.Estimation and Modeling of Total Suspended Solids of Davao River: Basis for Sustainable Resource Management - Engr. Norvein Calibo, University of Southeastern Philippines  

15. Mine Closure: Ensuring the Promise of Mining Sustainability - Engr. Robert Francisco, Hinatuan Mining Corporation  

16.Deswik as an Integrated Solution for Block Caving Projects, and a Brief Overview of Open Pit Applications - Engr. Alvaro Pena, DESWIK  

17. Closing the loop in Mine Geology: Integrated workflows for faster, more reliable decisions - Geol. Ryan Kelly, Datamine The technical sessions ended with a synthesis by Engr. Felizardo A. Gacad Jr., followed by closing remarks from Engr. Danilo Rodriguez. 

The program also included the oath-taking of new MAEM members led by Relampagos and the oath-taking of new PMRCC chairperson Engr. Armando Malicse, administered by outgoing chairperson Engr. Enrico Nera. 

Ahead of the symposium, participants joined pre-event activities on April 28, including an inter-company sports tournament in basketball, badminton, and pickleball, which drew 158 participants. A MAEM FunGolf activity was also held as part of the networking program. 

The two-day event also included evening socials with live entertainment, food, and beverages, while a Samal island-hopping activity capped the week’s program. 

On March 27, 2026, the 13th Annual PMEA Invitational Golf Tournament was held at the Mount Malarayat Golf & Country Club.

The summer's heat was not an obstacle for this year’s players in displaying their skill, precision and perseverance for the sport.

One of the main events of 2025 was the Philippines-Australia Business Council’s (PABC) 50th Anniversary. Established in July 1975, PABC commemorated this special occasion in a grand celebration that was held at Manila Polo Club in Makati last November 12.

This milestone event marks five decades of excellence, collaboration, and growth through active engagement across the industries, businesses and government sectors of the Philippines and Australia. Their primary goal is to promote trade, economic cooperation, and fostering friendship between the business communities of both countries.

PABC is more than just a business group. For five decades, their dedication and hard work in establishing good business relations between Philippines and Australia are testaments of their commitment in bringing national prosperity and progress.

For a wonderful start of the year, Philippine Mining and Exploration Association Monthly Membership Meeting focused on sustainable industrial solutions and advanced exploration technology, featuring speakers Michael Maglipon (President) from GFRP Philippines and Joven Brett Pacyaya (Asst. Manager, Geology) from Cordillera Exploration Co., Inc. The meeting was held on February 2, 2026.

‎PMEA President, Joey Nelson Ayson, reported the Industry Updates and PMEA Matters.

‎The bar sponsored for the evening was GFRP Philippines Manufacturing Corporation.

From mapping mountains to mentoring generations, the Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP) has been the pillars of Philippine geology. To celebrate its 80th Anniversary, GSP’s Oak Jubilee and Geological Convention (GEOCON) 2025 was held at the Solaire Resort North, Quezon on December 2-3, 2025.

The event honored the leaders in geoscience, latest research and discoveries in geology, natural hazards, and technology-driven solutions. Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was the keynote speaker.