[Ayala Museum, Makati City] 18 July 2023 – The non-government organization, Diwata - Women In Resource Development, Inc., celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Although Diwata was founded 11 years ago on July 18, 2012 (Nelson Mandela Day), the pandemic hindered the celebration last year, thus this year’s event is referred to as its 10th year anniversary.

During the 72nd Philippine Mining Club Luncheon last 10 March 2023, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo Loyzaga was the keynote speaker.

She addressed the mining industry leaders on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2023 to examine the role of women in the minerals industry and the impact of the industry on communities, with an emphasis on the welfare of indigenous women.

Diwata-Women in Resource Development, In c. co-sponsored this event in Seda Hotel, BGC.

On her keynote speech, the Secretary mentioned how DENR is working towards the true implementation of responsible mining.

Last 3rd of April 2023, Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA) Monthly Membership Meeting featured speakers who presented on technological solutions in mining that are beneficial for the mining company and the environment.  PMEA President, Mr Joey Nelson Ayson gave the opening remarks, PMEA Matters, and the Industry Updates.

Last 9th of February 2023, The Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP) hosted the "GSP Annual Dinner and Induction Ceremony" at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City. This was a hybrid event which highlighted the induction of the 2023 GSP Officers, Board of Trustees, and Committee Chairs. The induction of officers was led by Dr. Carlos Primo C. David, Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

[Baguio City] After two years of postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) finally returned last year to launch once again the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio City (ANMSEC) on its 68th year. It has been a tradition for decades that stakeholders and other participants from the mining industry gather yearly in the City of Pines for this event. ANMSEC remains one of the major events in the industry. This year’s conference was held last November 15 to 18, 2022. This year’s theme is “68 Years of Responsible Mining Resilience. Reset. Recovery.” ^[1]

The ANMSEC began in the 1950s. Back then, the organising group was called Baguio City Mine Safety Operators Association, and was later called PMSEA. The objective was to promote the advocacy on the practice of occupational health and safety, sound environmental management, and social development among mining companies operating in the country. PMSEA is a volunteer organization that promotes responsible mining in order to counter the misinformation like anti-mining and anti-science beliefs that hinders progress of the industry. ^[2]

An early morning holy mass was held on the first day of the conference to open the 4-day exploration and mining exhibit and mining workshop at the CAP John Hay Convention Center.

Later in the afternoon, PMSEA officials, headed by President Louie Sarmiento and other stakeholders in the mining industry had a press conference at the Baguio Country Club. Welcome cocktails were sponsored by the Civic Merchandising.

Before the year ended, the Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA) invited Retired Lieutenant General Roy O. Deveraturda as the keynote speaker for the November PMEA Monthly Membership Meeting. As the newly appointed president of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. he reported some updates on the Tampakan Project”.

 Mr Roy Deveraturda is a former lieutenant general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He started as an aviation cadet in 1978. Then, he was commissioned in the Philippine Air Force in 1980. With his Military Pilot Badge after graduating from the Aviation Cadet Program of the Philippine Air Force Flying School, he later became an attack pilot of the 15th Strike Wing. He had more than 50 combat missions. General Deveraturda held the highest aircrew qualifications as Test Pilot, Flight Commander, Instructor Pilot, and Flight Examiner for AT-28D Trojan “Tora Tora” and the OV-10A Bronco. ^[1]

He retired as a Lieutenant General in Philippine Air Force on August 17, 2014, after having commanded the AFP's entire Visayas area and then the Western Philippine Area, including the West Philippine Sea. He was one of AFP's most decorated officers. More notably, he was in charge of the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief for the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Gen. Deveraturda became the Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary for the Plans and Programs in 2015. He joined the mining industry in 2018 when he was recruited to be the President of Carmen Copper Corp.

From there he now moved and have been appointed in May 2022 as President of Sagittarius Mines Inc. to bring the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project towards construction and development at the soonest possible time.

Mining events are slowly transitioning back to face-to-face gatherings, and this is something that Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA) has been initiating since April with their hybrid meeting. Last 6 June 2022, PMEA’s Monthly Membership Meeting resumes with several attendees who were present at Manila Elks Club that evening.

Mr Joey Nelson Ayson, PMEA President, reported some PMEA matters and industry updates/news from MGB. Here are some of the topics he discussed:

Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association presented the virtual edition of 67th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) last November 24-26, 2021 with the theme "Pusong Minero: Celebrating 67 years of responsible mining with the quiet heroes of the pandemic." The event was also made possible in cooperation with the DENR-MGB.

THE PHILIPPINE MINING VIRTUAL SUMMIT March 16 – 17, 2022 | 1PM – 5PM PhT via Zoom Meeting 

The Covid-19 pandemic has an immediate impact on the global economy that goes across all industries, that includes mining. While this is being contained, the current administration is assertive in reviving the country’s mining industry to help counter the economic devastation created by the coronavirus pandemic.

The mining industry plays a very important role in the country’s economic development. This involves operations that have a substantial impact on the environment that contributes to economic recovery, provide employment opportunities, projects that create additional revenues for the government and the country.

The Philippine Mining Virtual Summit will gather over 150 c-level executives coming from the country’s mining industry leaders, government authorities, policymakers, associations, investors, consultants, heavy equipment suppliers, and leading industry solutions providers gathering in this virtual platform to discuss industry and policy updates, trends, opportunities, latest technology solutions needed for the upcoming and future projects of the mining industry in the Philippines.

The PH-EITI National Conference 2021 was held last July 29 with the theme "Resiliency in Transparency". 

PH-EITI or Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, is a government-led, multi-stakeholder initiative that implements EITI. The initiative started on 26 November 2013 under Executive Order No. 147, series of 2013. It is a government commitment first announced through EO No. 79, s. of 2012. The initiative aims to promote the open, accountable management and good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources industries. The three-hour webinar/conference featured various keynote speakers.[1]

“This is the second year that we are holding this meeting online due to the pandemic. This underscores the exceptional circumstance under which we have to operate into the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, I congratulate the EITI for its efforts to organize this national conference and produce an annual report despite all the challenges.” This was part of the Opening Remarks given by Hon. Carlos G. Dominguez, Secretary of Department of Finance.

Veteran journalist, Abe Almirol, joins Philippine Resources Journal

For several years now, Philippine Mining Club (PMC) has served as a professional networking forum that brought industries together and created opportunities for its members and guest speakers. PMC brings together mining executives, government officials, academic societies in geology and mining engineering, stakeholders and other groups in the Philippine minerals industry. 

In response to the government declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the entire Philippines; alongside the recommendations of the Department of Health regarding the imposition of Social Distancing Measures in the National Capital Region, which prohibits mass gatherings and events due to concerns related to COVID-19, Worldbex Services International (WSI) announces its decision to postpone WORLDBEX and MIAS 2020.

Worldbex Services International, amidst shows that are set to be held on March 18 to 22, 2020 (25th WORLDBEX) and April 2 to 5, 2020 (16th MIAS), has made this difficult decision after close and careful consultation with its partners and the health authorities in charge, in whom it has full trust for their expertise and recommendations for the benefit of exhibitors, collaborators, and visitors. Following the recent prohibition on mass public gatherings, with direct implications for the trade shows, WSI had no other option than to make this decision.

Jill Aithnie Ang, Managing Director of Worldbex Services International stated: “We are deeply saddened to have made the decision to postpone this year’s WORLDBEX and MIAS. Indeed, both of the shows have come to be such instrumental platforms for the local industry to grow and expand their networks across a wide range of trade opportunities. Moreover, this predicament is made all the more challenging in consideration of all the possibilities explored and plans aligned after significant time spent in dialogue with collaborators over the course of the past few months. All this progress is further attested by the impressive number of returning exhibitors and newcomers who were all eager to take part of this journey. As expected, we have been observing promising growth across all sectors in both the construction and design trade as well as in automotive and motoring.

Joseph Ang, Founder of Worldbex Services International expressed: “In the past few weeks, I have witnessed the grit and tenacity of all who have been involved in the preparations for our two shows – WORLDBEX and MIAS. From our partners and customers to our stakeholders and very own teams, everyone has tirelessly worked to seek out the most ideal solutions to safeguard the wellbeing of the industries and its subsequent communities. It is in these moments that I am truly convinced of the value of communication and collaboration in conjuring innovative and strategic approaches to address the many issues at hand. At this point, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to everyone for their hard work, faith, and commitment to our vision.”

In the midst of all this, WSI is putting the health and safety of all attendees, exhibitors, and its employees at the top priority. With the development of the current threat and challenges, the organizer will be on top of this situation and continue working towards realizing its prodigious aspirations for the local trade industries.

9th Annual PMEA Golf Tournament unfolds March 13.

The Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA) will stage its 9th Annual Golf Tournament on March 13 at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

Listing is ongoing with entry fee pegged at P3,900, inclusive of a Nike golf shirt, green fee, shared golf cart use, meals, and raffle entry.

On-course registration will begin at 6 a.m. followed by the shotgun tee off at 8 a.m.

For registration and sponsorship inquiries, email pmea.secretariat@gmail.com or call 09209522084.

Now in its 25th year, The Philippine World Building and Construction Exposition or simply WORLDBEX is all set for March 18 to 22, 2020 at the Philippine International Convention Center, World Trade Center Metro Manila, and the SMX Convention Center. With close to 1,000 exhibitors and 188,000 expected visitors, WORLBEX 2020 aims to deliver a top notch and groundbreaking construction and design show.

An exhibitor orientation was held last Feb 4, 2020 at the Philippine International Convention Center which is the same venue that will complete this year’s triad of venues making it WORLDBEX most exciting edition yet. During the orientation, key points were discussed to equip all the exhibitors with a comprehensive guide they need for this year’s 5-day event.

The topics ranged from ingress, event proper and egress reminders which include rules and regulations, program and event highlights, pocket activities, as well as important dates and schedules to remember. Part of the highlight is the relaunch of the WORLDBEX App with a new look, improved user experience and interface for this year’s expo. This year’s line-up consists of both local and international exhibitors who have been partners with WORLDBEX for many years.

WORLBEX 2020 commits to prioritize the safety of all the participants in relation to the recent Ncov situation. The organizers prepared certain key measures for the safety of the attendees as recommended by the Department of Health and World Health Organization.

There will be mandatory body temperature check on all entry points, Hand sanitizers will be readily available at the venues. A medical team will also be on stand-by in case of emergencies.

Also highlighted during the orientation was the contract signing between Worldbex Services International executives and WORLDBEX sponsors.Partner associations were also present to grace the contract signing.

Organized by Worldbex Services International, WORLDBEX 2020 is happening on March 18 to 22, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Philippine International Convention Center, World Trade Center Metro Manila, and the SMX Convention Center. For more information, call (02) 8656-9239, email inquire@worldbexevents.com, or follow @worldbex on Facebook and Instagram. Pre-register for free at www.worldbex.com.