At TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD), rehabilitating the environment is not just a matter of compliance — it is a long-term commitment deeply rooted in the organization’s respect for nature’s healing processes. Guided by the principles of natural plant succession, the company’s approach to revegetation mirrors the natural growth of forests over time. This dedication is a cornerstone of TVIRD’s operations, ensuring a lasting positive impact on its surrounding environment.

This method, while simple and cost-effective, has proven highly effective in restoring wildlife habitats. It begins with planting fast-growing grasses, followed by shrubs and vines, and eventually native tree species that form mature woodlands. TVIRD strengthens this approach by cultivating suitable indigenous plant species in its own nursery — homegrown seedlings that support reforestation efforts and are well-adapted to the local environment.

Environmental Manager Jjam Cutillas explained, “At TVIRD, rehabilitation is not just the title of our manual — it’s a long-term promise to nature. We follow nature’s rhythm in healing the land, allowing vegetation to return in the same order it once grew.”

As of June this year, 31.88 hectares of disturbed areas have already been successfully rehabilitated in Sitio Balabag, with pioneering grasses and shallow-rooted fruit trees establishing the foundation for future growth and biodiversity.

A Massive Undertaking

TVIRD’s impact goes well beyond the restoration of mined-out areas. To date, it has established plantations within and beyond its mining areas, totaling 1,136 hectares. This translates to more than 1.2 million trees planted — an impressive effort backed by a remarkable survival rate of 94.10%, thanks to rigorous care and monitoring practices that ensure trees not only survive but thrive.

“What makes our work meaningful is knowing that every tree we plant has a purpose, whether it’s to bring back wildlife, stabilize the soil, or one day be part of a larger forest. We take pride in growing most of these from our very own nursery and using native species that truly belong to the land,” Cutillas added.

Regenerating Forests the Natural Way

TVIRD also champions Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) — a sustainable method focused on enhancing existing forest vegetation and allowing nature to lead the way. In collaboration with DENR Region IX, strategic areas within the company’s mining area were identified for this initiative. ANR involves nurturing naturally growing trees, planting indigenous species, and ensuring consistent maintenance and protection.

As of June 2025, a total of 456.44 hectares of ANR and enhancement plantations have been established, where earth-balled saplings and wildlings were planted in compliance with Special Tree Cutting and Earth-balling Permit (STCEP) conditions.

Of this total, the 152.67-hectare enhancement plantation established from July 2024 to June 2025 saw the planting of 152,670 indigenous and fruit tree species within the MPSA, mostly dipterocarp species. Additionally, 1,667 bamboo trees covering 8.33 hectares were planted during the same period.

Environmental Stewardship as a Shared Commitment

“Our environmental programs are driven by a shared commitment — one that every employee participates in. From weekly tree-planting activities to major rehabilitation projects, we all play a part in rebuilding what nature has given us. And that’s something we take to heart,” Cutillas concluded.

Environmental awareness is deeply instilled in TVIRD Group’s culture. Through its weekly tree-growing program, various departments come together regularly to plant and care for the land. Everyone in TVIRD has a role to play in restoring the balance of nature, with purpose for every week and every season.

Major capital expenditure is often investors’ main concern when deciding whether to start a mining operation.

Numerous financial considerations arise, including infrastructure needs such as road construction, fixed plant requirements, the number of haul trucks, or the installation of rail links to port. These upfront costs can be significant and are often a deciding factor in whether a project proceeds.

In situations where capital expenditure must be carefully managed — due to short mine lifespans, remote locations, or dispersed ore bodies — mobile mining equipment can offer a more suitable and flexible alternative to traditional fixed plants.

That’s where MMD’s mobile and semi-mobile Sizer stations come into their own.

Big Capability in a Small Package

Among the most innovative of these offerings is MMD’s trailer-mounted sizing station. Designed for quick deployment and mobility, this unit can be delivered to site by truck and made operational with minimal setup. It processes material at rates between 300 to 2,000 tonnes per hour — ideal for lower-tonnage operations or sites that require scalable, flexible solutions.

Despite its compact footprint, the trailer-mounted unit performs like a fixed plant. It can be equipped with a primary, secondary, or tertiary Sizer and tailored with a range of tooth designs to suit various ore types.

Hydraulic legs and a folding conveyor make transportation and relocation straightforward, while wireless or onboard control options ensure ease of use.

Another effective option is the FMS 500 — a more robust rig that is either track- or skid-mounted and constructed modularly to meet a client’s specific needs.

With a low-cost setup and the ability to operate in remote or hard-to-reach locations, the FMS 500 delivers increased durability while still minimizing environmental impact. The track-mounted variant, for example, can be deployed anywhere a shovel can operate.

Both solutions underscore MMD’s commitment to flexible, sustainable mining. These smaller Sizer stations require virtually no groundworks and use advanced motor technologies to reduce energy consumption — ideal for mining operations seeking a lower environmental footprint and reduced operating costs.

Scaling Up: High-Capacity Mobile and Semi-Mobile Stations

While the smaller rigs offer flexibility and fast ROI for specific use cases, MMD also provides larger fully mobile and semi-mobile sizing stations designed for high-throughput operations — up to 10,000 tonnes per hour.

These units are often the preferred choice when projects still seek mobility but need the performance to match long-term, large-scale output.

For mining enterprises that anticipate decades of production and want to reduce reliance on expensive haulage fleets, these high-capacity systems can be deployed at the face of the mine, moving as the operation develops.

The result is reduced truck usage, lower fuel costs, and fewer emissions — key advantages in today’s ESG-conscious landscape.

Although they involve a more significant setup than the smaller rigs, these larger mobile and semi-mobile stations still offer faster commissioning and lower capital outlay compared to traditional fixed plant infrastructure and long haulage.

They strike a balance between operational scale and cost-effectiveness, particularly for mines where flexibility is critical to long-term planning.

For decades, fixed plant was the default for large mining operations. When a mine's lifespan extended over decades, it made sense to invest heavily upfront. But for many of today’s operations — especially those in remote areas, with uncertain lifespans, or with multiple ore bodies — this model no longer fits.

MMD’s mobile and semi-mobile Sizer stations deliver a compelling alternative. Material can be processed closer to where it’s extracted, and the equipment can be relocated as needed.

Whether it's a compact trailer-mounted rig or a 10,000 TPH high-capacity system, these solutions reduce setup times, lower capital risk, and boost operational efficiency.

Backed by decades of expertise, MMD’s mobile strategy is built to meet the evolving demands of modern mining. From smaller start-ups to established operations expanding into new zones, the company’s sizing stations offer a smarter, leaner way to move forward.

Because in today’s mining world, success isn’t just about digging deeper — it’s about mining smarter.

Instead of storing mine waste in complex and vulnerable tailings dams, mining companies in the Philippines can convert waste into valuable minerals, chemicals, and construction materials — mostly utilizing existing infrastructure — while making a profit, according to global professional services company GHD.

Speaking ahead of the 71st Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in Baguio City on November 20, Paul Greaney, GHD’s Australian Market Leader for Resources, outlined how tailings repurposing offers both economic and environmental benefits for the Philippine mining sector.

GHD estimates there are 100 billion tons of mine waste produced globally each year. While some mines already use “reprocessing” to reclaim minerals from tailings, “repurposing” is an emerging practice of converting mine waste into construction materials such as geopolymers, aggregates, and engineered soils.

“If you extract the precious, critical, and strategic metals, as well as the chemicals that were used in the processing, you're basically left with a quarry. Now you can make low-cost, low-carbon concrete (including pre-cast), as well as soil for land reclamation and aggregates for road construction,” Greaney said.

“It also means that when a mine closes, there could be another 20 years’ worth of repurposing production to support the local economy and communities with jobs.”

Reducing the need to store waste in tailings dams is particularly important for the Philippines, with its high rainfall and seismic activity, as witnessed in recent earthquakes in Cebu and Mindanao. Tailings dam failures have cost lives and caused billions in damages globally.

Since 2000, there have been an average of five tailings dam failures per year worldwide, with most incidents not receiving media coverage.

In addition to the risks of failure, limited tailings capacity can also constrain production.

“It is a difficult decision for miners who must slow down production due to their tailings impoundment areas approaching capacity, especially given the current and projected prices for such commodities as copper and gold,” Greaney said. “Tailings repurposing deals with this secondary issue and may also mitigate the need to build new impoundments. Now you've got extra space to continue your production!”

“The ultimate goal would be having the repurposing systems installed at the same time a new mine is built, so you have virtually no tailings and no waste. And when it comes time to close the mine, the biggest liability is already gone,” Greaney added.

In Dinapigue, Isabela, the story of mining is taking a creative turn. Where others see discarded glass and plastics, Dinapigue Mining Corporation (DMC) sees the building blocks of sustainability.

Inside its Material Recovery Facility (MRF), bottles and wrappers that would have likely ended up as waste are crushed, shredded, and given a second life as eco-bricks — a durable, low-cost construction material now used to line pathways at the mine site and in the local community.

So far, DMC has produced 48,000 eco-bricks, recycling 7 tons of glass bottles and 3 tons of plastics in the process.

“This is our way of showing that mining can transform and improve not just landscapes, but entire mindsets about waste,” said DMC Resident Mine Manager Engr. Edwin R. Casiano.

DMC also conducts information, education, and communication (IEC) sessions with its host and neighboring communities to share its best solid waste management practices, such as eco-brick manufacturing, making environmental protection a shared effort.

Beyond Extraction: Building Sustainability

The eco-bricks initiative is part of DMC’s broader approach to a circular economy, ensuring that waste from daily operations finds new life.

Complementing the company’s reforestation efforts, the program reinforces DMC’s goal of leaving behind not just rehabilitated land, but blueprints for sustainable development.

As a subsidiary of listed natural resources development company Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), DMC continues to prove that responsible mining can coexist with sustainable innovation.

The company maintains two on-site nurseries capable of hosting 300,000 seedlings, contributing to 1,352.86 hectares of green-offset plantations across Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya — equaling 1,099% more than its total disturbed area.

The company has also planted 731,896 seedlings both within and outside Dinapigue and has established 132.15 hectares of new plantations as part of its restoration and reforestation efforts.

Building Communities

Beyond its environmental milestones, DMC remains deeply invested in community development.

Through its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), DMC has invested PHP 43.1 million since 2015 in initiatives that support education, health, infrastructure, and livelihood in its host and neighboring communities.

The company’s scholarship programs have also produced 27 graduates, some of whom now work with the company as professionals.

Recognition and Outlook

DMC is a two-time recipient of the Titanium Achievement Award under the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) in 2023 and 2024, recognizing its excellence in environmental protection, safety, and social responsibility.

“In mining, people tend to look at what is taken from the ground,” said Casiano. “We want to show what can be given back.”

Through its consistent focus on safety, environmental stewardship, and community development, Dinapigue Mining Corporation continues to demonstrate that responsible mining can indeed go beyond the pit, creating a legacy that is greener, stronger, and built to last.

By Paramina Earth Technologies Inc. / Thea Samantha C. Go, EM   Building on GEOVIA's Digital Foundation As discussed in Part 1 of the previous issue, Philippine mines can overcome operational challenges through GEOVIA's specialized tools. Surpac brings new precision to resource estimati...

Technical personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau participated in the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Validation Workshop of the ASEAN Minerals Cooperation Action Plan IV (AMCAP-IV) for 2026–2030, held in Bali, Indonesia, from November 17 to 19, 2025.

Representing the Philippines were Dr. Karlo L. Queaño of the Lands Geological Survey Division, Florian D. Servidad of the Policy, Planning and International Affairs Division, and Cesar Anthony A. Aben of the Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division.

AMCAP-IV builds on previous regional cooperation to strengthen collaboration in the minerals sector, in line with the ASEAN Minerals Development Vision and the ASEAN Principles on Sustainable Minerals Development.

To ensure measurable results under the new action plan, the ASEAN Secretariat and the AMCAP Task Force are developing a practical and results-oriented monitoring and evaluation framework. The Bali workshop served as the final step in the co-design process, allowing ASEAN member states to review, refine and validate the framework ahead of its implementation starting in 2026.

The first day of the workshop focused on the implementation of AMCAP-IV action lines, including planning and budgeting of activities, coordination among member states and with the ASEAN Secretariat, recruitment of participants, reporting mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation of outputs and outcomes, and the provision of technical and financial support from member states, the ASEAN Secretariat and dialogue and development partners.

Discussions on the second and third days centered on how monitoring and evaluation of AMCAP-IV would function at the ASEAN level. These sessions examined roles and responsibilities for data collection and reporting, information flow across ministries and into the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEANstats, and ways to accommodate differing levels of readiness among member states.

Across the sessions, participants worked on establishing the operational rules, roles, coordination mechanisms and support requirements to ensure that agreed indicators can be effectively collected, shared and used once implementation begins.

The workshop examined four programme areas: Trade and Investment in Minerals; Sustainable Minerals Development; Capacity Building in Minerals; and Minerals Information and Database.

The AMCAP-IV 2026–2030 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Validation Workshop was organized under the ASEAN-United States Partnership Program. It provided a platform for structured technical review, consensus-building among member states, alignment of roles and reporting expectations, and agreement on the way forward for framework implementation in 2026. The activity also enabled member states, including the Philippines, to establish clear and measurable indicators, realistic baselines and feasible means of verification for each action line.

Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) has reaffirmed its environmental stewardship and community partnership by signing five new Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) on November 27, 2025, covering a combined 283 hectares of reforestation under the Adopt-National Greening Program (NGP). The move reinforces the company’s commitment to responsible mining and compliance with its Special Tree Cutting and Earth-balling Permit (STCEP) requirements, while advancing broader forest restoration priorities in the region.

The new agreements formalize TMC’s collaboration with local people’s organizations, including the Marka-a Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (MAFACO), Pamosaingan Lunas Irrigation Association (PLIA), Tabok Socorro Farmers Association Inc. (TSFAI), Corregidor Farmers Fisherfolks Association Inc. (COFAFIA), and Tayaba Farmers and Fisherfolks Association Inc. (TAFFAI). The collective effort will see these partner groups lead reforestation activities across the adopted lands, strengthening community agency in forest regeneration.

The signing ceremony drew key environmental and government stakeholders, including Caraga Regional ENGP Coordinator Luis Gonzaga, PENR Officer Agapito Patubo of PENRO-Surigao del Norte, Protected Area Superintendent Milafe Nohara, representatives from PENRO and CENRO offices, and local leaders alongside TMC Vice President and Resident Mine Manager Artemio E. Valeroso.

These Adopt-NGP agreements align with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) ongoing strategy to accelerate forest rehabilitation through multi-sector partnerships, where private firms adopt NGP sites to help replenish trees removed during development activities, a mechanism mirrored in similar DENR initiatives across the country.

TMC’s environmental engagement in Surigao del Norte is part of a broader pattern of sustainability efforts. The company has previously partnered with communities in environmental and solid-waste management programs, such as river protection initiatives and the establishment of Material Recovery Facilities, in cooperation with local government units.

Operating within the Surigao Mineral Reservation under MPSA No. 266-2008-XIII-SMR, TMC plays a significant role in the local economy through nickel ore production, community development, taxes, and employment. The company also implements a range of environmental and social programs designed to complement its mining operations, including support for local cooperatives and livelihood projects.

Together, the reforestation efforts reflect a community-centered approach to landscape stewardship, underscoring TMC’s intent to integrate ecological restoration with sustainable mining and upland development in Caraga’s environmental landscape.

Australian-listed Celsius Resources Ltd has marked a major milestone for its Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) Copper-Gold Project in Kalinga after defining its first JORC-compliant Ore Reserve Estimate, strengthening the project’s pathway toward development and financing.

The maiden underground ore reserve stands at 130.2 million metric tons grading 0.66 percent copper and 0.21 grams per metric ton gold, equivalent to 0.84 percent copper. This represents about 856,000 metric tons of contained copper and 891,000 ounces of gold.

The ore reserve has been reported in accordance with the JORC Code, the internationally recognised standard for public reporting of mineral resources and ore reserves.

JORC compliance requires independent verification and ensures that technical, economic and mining assumptions are transparently disclosed and based on reasonable prospects for eventual extraction.

For investors and regulators, a JORC-compliant ore reserve provides a higher level of confidence that the reported figures are robust, credible and suitable for mine planning and financing decisions.

Celsius said the reserve forms the foundation of its updated feasibility study and mine plan and will underpin ongoing discussions with potential project partners and financial institutions.

MMCI Technical Director Peter Hume said that the Maiden JORC Ore Reserve Estimate for the MCB Copper-Gold Project is a major  milestone that confirms the strength and long-term potential of the deposit, reinforcing  our confidence in the Project’s capacity to deliver sustained value for shareholders and  stakeholders. 

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Balatoc community whose partnership and  support—especially during the recent drilling and field activities—were vital in completing  the technical work that underpins this Reserve Estimate,” Hume said.

“Their cooperation continues to  guide our commitment to responsible project development,” he added.

Hume said that the ere reserve estimate is a testament to the collective effort and professionalism of  everyone involved.

“We look forward to advancing the MCB Project in a way that brings  enduring benefits to our shareholders, our host communities, and the country,” Hume said.

The MCB project is located in Barangay Balatoc, Pasil, around 320 kilometers north of Manila, and covers roughly 2,500 hectares in the Cordillera Administrative Region. It is held by Makilala Mining Co. Inc. (MMCI), a Philippine affiliate of Celsius. The company currently holds a 40 percent working interest, with a conditional agreement to transfer the remaining 60 percent to Sodor Inc., subject to outstanding conditions.

According to the company, the ore reserve was derived from an updated mineral resource estimate announced in November and reflects years of technical work, including front-end engineering and mine design studies. The estimate was prepared and signed off by independent consultant DMT Consulting Ltd in accordance with the JORC Code.

Mining is planned as an underground operation using sublevel open stoping with paste backfill, supported by a conventional concentrator. Metallurgical test work has confirmed the ability to produce a clean, high-quality copper-gold concentrate, with strong recoveries of around 95 percent for copper and 77 percent for gold, and no expected penalty elements.

Celsius noted that the project has benefited from extensive exploration and technical studies dating back to 2006, including 60 diamond drill holes totaling more than 31,600 meters. The mineralization is classified as a porphyry copper-gold system, a deposit style common in the Philippines.

The project has already cleared key regulatory steps. A Mineral Production Sharing Agreement was issued to MMCI in March 2024, following approval of a declaration of mining project feasibility by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

Beyond the technical progress, the company acknowledged the role of the Balatoc community and the contribution of Filipino engineers and staff in completing the work required to deliver the ore reserve.

With a defined reserve, an advanced feasibility study, and confirmed processing and mining parameters, Celsius said the MCB project is moving closer to potential development, positioning it as a significant future source of copper and gold in northern Luzon.

Four subsidiaries of listed natural resources development company Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) were honoured at the 2025 Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) National Conference, held on 28 November 2025 at Sequoia Hotel in Parañaque City.

Cagdianao Mining Corporation (CMC) and Hinatuan Mining Corporation (HMC) earned second and third place, respectively, in the Excellence in Reporting Award – Metallic Mining Category, for their clear, comprehensive, and timely submissions to the national transparency framework.

Dinapigue Mining Corporation (DMC) and Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTN) were also recognised as Top Reporting Entities, with RTN receiving distinctions in both the Metallic and Non-Metallic mining categories.

“These recognitions affirm our long-standing commitment to openness, accountability, and responsible mining,” said NAC SVP for Sustainability, Risk, Corporate Affairs, and Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer Jose Bayani D. Baylon.

“Transparency is fundamental to building trust with our host communities, government partners, and the public. We are immensely proud of our operating companies for consistently setting the standard,” Baylon added.

EITI is a global transparency standard requiring extractive companies – including mining, oil, and gas firms – to disclose payments made to the government, while also obliging governments to report the revenues received. The initiative promotes greater openness and accountability in managing and reporting the benefits derived from natural resources.

PH-EITI, aligned with global EITI standards, aims to strengthen natural resource governance through accurate reporting of revenues, payments, and other critical data from extractive industries. NAC’s continued success in the initiative underscores its leadership in ethical practices and sustainable development in the Philippine mining sector.

In her closing remarks, PH-EITI National Coordinator Mary Ann Rodolfo said, “We share one vision, a natural resource sector that benefits the Filipino people, protects the environment, and upholds the rights of communities.”

Nickel Asia Corporation (PSE: NIKL) is a diversified natural resources development company in the Philippines, with a portfolio that includes seven operating nickel mines, a 10-percent stake in the Taganito HPAL project, and a rapidly growing clean energy subsidiary.

NAC aims to contribute to sustainable national development by adopting its ESG roadmap to achieve the highest standards in responsible utilisation of the country’s natural resources. The company produces two types of ore: saprolite and limonite. Saprolite ore is used as feed for ferronickel and nickel pig iron smelters in Japan and China, while most limonite ore is processed domestically by the Coral Bay and Taganito HPAL projects.

NAC’s renewable energy subsidiary engages in power generation exclusively from renewable sources. In a short period, it has built a portfolio of renewable energy service contracts across solar, wind, and geothermal projects, which are at various stages of development.

Through its operations and the efforts of over 2,000 employees across communities, NAC aims to bring products that contribute to a progressive and sustainable future while remaining conscious stewards of the environments in which it operates.

The 2025 Extractives Transparency Week (ETW) opened with renewed momentum toward more inclusive and accountable natural resource governance in the Philippines, as the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) marked its second decade of promoting transparency, accountability and public participation in the mining, oil and gas sectors.

With the theme “Extracting Better Futures: Amplifying Stakeholder Voices Towards Inclusive Development,” this year’s ETW is highlighting the need to ensure that transparency efforts translate into equitable and sustainable outcomes. Stakeholders from across the country gathered in Manila to examine emerging challenges and opportunities in extractive governance, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and elevating community perspectives.

Day 1, held Nov. 25, featured the Industry Constituency’s parallel session, “Strengthening Accountability and Community Relations in a Changing Extractives Landscape,” at the Department of Finance. Representatives from the mining, oil and gas industries convened to discuss how global expectations and domestic realities are reshaping the responsibilities of industry players.

The session opened with a presentation from Katrina Francisco, partner at SGV & Co., who described today’s operating environment as “NAVI” — nonlinear, accelerated, volatile and interconnected. She outlined three major shifts affecting the sector: rising demand for reliable ESG information; the integration of climate, nature and just transition considerations into corporate strategy; and the rapid expansion of digital technologies for monitoring and transparency. Companies that can “integrate credible data, climate and nature action, and genuine community participation” will be best positioned to maintain their social license to operate, she said.

A panel discussion followed with Diory Carr of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Marjorie Idio of OceanaGold Philippines Inc., and Guillermo Ansay of the Department of Energy. The panelists underscored the need to harmonize ESG and community-relations frameworks across industries, strengthen capacity-building for companies and host communities, and ensure consistency between national and local regulations. Their insights pointed to the importance of institutional alignment and people-centered approaches to responsible extractives.

Breakout discussions allowed industry participants to examine practical challenges in sustaining trust and acceptance in host communities. Participants cited persistent misinformation, uneven access to technical information, and longstanding local grievances as barriers to maintaining a social license to operate. They also emphasized that transparency is meaningful only when information is accessible, timely and communicated in ways that communities can understand.

Across sessions, communication emerged as a recurring theme. Speakers and participants noted that credible and consistent information is essential for building trust, and that communication platforms must be used strategically to reach those who need the information most. Transparency, they stressed, requires more than compliance — it requires ensuring that communities feel informed, included and confident in their engagement with the sector.

As the session closed, participants emphasized that accountability and community relations are now central to determining the legitimacy and long-term viability of extractive operations. Discussions throughout the day pointed to the need for harmonized standards, stronger open-data systems, empowered communities, aligned policies and greater innovation. These efforts, many agreed, are necessary to create an extractive sector that supports inclusive development, advances the country’s clean-energy transition and upholds responsible stewardship of natural resources.

This year’s ETW was held alongside FORGE Philippines 2025: PH-EITI National Conference, bringing together government agencies, industry leaders, civil society organizations, Indigenous communities, partner institutions and representatives from the international EITI community.

Over four days, participants discussed a wide range of issues: beneficial ownership transparency and corporate accountability; industry priorities amid accelerating ESG standards; localizing transparency and empowering communities and local governments; national wealth sharing and fiscal coordination; Indigenous rights, FPIC, SDMPs and environmental disclosure; the energy and just transitions; the Philippines’ emerging role in critical mineral supply chains; and labor protections in the extractive sector.

Organizers described ETW as more than a conference — a convergence of stories, expertise, challenges and hopes. As one summary statement noted, “ETW is never just an event; it’s a convergence of stories, expertise, challenges, and hopes for a better extractives landscape.”

In closing, PH-EITI expressed gratitude to partners, speakers, panelists, members of the Multi-Stakeholder Group and participants for their contributions. The week’s events, it said, reflected a shared commitment to “forging stronger governance, deeper transparency, and more inclusive development for the communities who stand at the center of our natural resource story.”

The country’s premiere annual “red carpet” for excellence in environmental management and safety once again shone on TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD), as its Siana Gold Project and Balabag Gold and Silver Project both clinched the coveted Presidential Mineral Industry Environment Award (PMIEA).

The awards were conferred at the CAP Convention Center on November 21, capping the weeklong Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANSMEC), which drew thousands of participants from across the extractive sector and allied industries.

This year’s strong turnout reflects a renewed momentum for Philippine mining — buoyed by stronger global demand and a new fiscal regime that has helped rebuild confidence in a sector long held at arm’s length.

For TVIRD, the recognition reinforces its commitment to building healthy, resilient host communities whose livelihood, education and social infrastructure continue to rise alongside its operations.

“The burden of responsibility is bequeathed upon a mining company… We embrace this responsibility and have integrated this into our plans for overall development,” said TVIRD President Michael G. Regino.

Honor begets responsibility

For the TVIRD Group, the twin awards mark yet another milestone in a long history of safety and environmental citations. Its pioneering Canatuan Gold-Silver/Copper-Zinc Project was a Platinum and Titanium awardee, while the Agata Nickel Laterite Project secured the Presidential Award three times and later earned an ASEAN Mineral Award — its first international distinction.

“The burden of responsibility is bequeathed upon a mining company when it operates in the hinterlands. Over time, communities grow reliant on the company,” Regino explained.
“Where employment is a mutual covenant, the mining company simply needs to broaden its support during extraordinary situations like the pandemic… We embrace this responsibility and have integrated this into our plans for overall development.”

Greenstone’s road to sustainability

Since taking over Greenstone Resources Corporation in 2021, TVIRD has pursued a sustainability roadmap for the Siana Gold Project in Surigao del Norte. But a major setback struck in May 2024 when TSF3 gave way amid frequent seismic activity and bad weather.

Quick coordination between Greenstone’s responders and barangay officials ensured residents were evacuated well before the break. As a result, the incident recorded zero casualties and zero injuries.

Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers commended the company’s swift evacuation efforts and affirmed the safety protocols in place.

A year later, fortified TSF3 embankments now stand beside an ornamental park honoring the team whose decisive actions averted disaster. A relocated housing project also shelters former residents of Barangay Siana, with livelihoods and employment restored. “…a company will not be judged by the onset of a crisis, but rather, to the degree to which it responds and takes responsibility for it.”

The crisis prompted a full review of safety systems and galvanized Greenstone to transform environmental management into a point of excellence. The company strengthened its ISO 14001:2015–anchored framework, reclaimed disturbed lands, and aligned operations with national and global sustainability goals.

“Before the (awards) validation, we told ourselves that this comeback is personal — not just to me, not just to the management, but to each employee who witnessed the challenges we hurdled,” said Greenstone President and General Manager Engr. Anthony B. Quijano. “With our grit… every job we do is a self-portrait of who we are.”

Balabag transforms an entire community

The Balabag Project in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur began under difficult circumstances. Long before TVIRD’s entry, the area had been ravaged by decades of unregulated artisanal mining that left Balabag Hill pitted and polluted.

TVIRD’s first task was massive cleanup: stabilizing dangerous mine shafts and detoxifying waterways contaminated with cyanide, mercury and nitric acid. Winning over the abanteros proved more challenging, as many were accustomed to risky but potentially lucrative mining. Over time, they saw that the dangers they faced were far greater than the rewards.

By 2021, Balabag reached commercial operation with markets in Oceania and Asia. Even amid the pandemic, Bayog’s development accelerated through new schools, roads, water systems and a coming tribal hall for the Subanen community.

The project passed PMIEA validation after its first year — a first for the TVIRD Group.

“The driving factor in winning this award is the single direction that we have in our minds: to reclaim the glory that the Balabag Project is a mining company that truly goes beyond compliance,” said TVIRD Balabag General Manager Noel Manrique.

Balabag maintains a spotless compliance record with zero notices of violation and a strong ISO 14001:2015 system.

“With our strong adherence to the law… we ensure that every step we take is in the right direction,” Manrique added.

Thriving communities

At the center of Balabag’s success are its host communities — both non-tribal and indigenous — whose path to self-determination is bolstered by livelihood and education support.

As in Siocon, which rose from fourth- to first-class municipality through the Canatuan Project, Bayog has likewise been elevated from third to first class due to increased economic activity.

In Agata’s host towns, Tubay and Santiago also moved up from fourth to first class, while Jabonga advanced from fourth to second class — proof of TVIRD’s social-development formula.

Greenstone’s communities are following the same trajectory, with Mainit improving from fourth to third class and Tubod from fifth to fourth.

Across crises, setbacks and recovery, the TVIRD Group has consistently emerged stronger.

As Shakespeare wrote in Twelfth Night: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

“TVIRD has seen greatness in its people: its first responders in times of crises, its key officers who continue to challenge the tried-and-tested, and its communities who continue to strive to rise out of poverty.”

These continue to steer the TVIRD Group along its path to excellence.

Diwata-Women in Resource Development Inc. (Diwata Inc.) successfully held the inaugural session of its new mentoring series, "Network to the Next Level," in partnership with Raniag Minera of OceanaGold Philippines, Inc. The event, held at the historic Hill Station, Casa Vallejo, in Baguio City, gathered female leaders, mining professionals, and students from the Philippine extractives industry.

The session featured keynote discussions on navigating male-dominated industries, led by Ms. Tanya Cambetis, Didipio Mine’s Business Optimization Manager, and Engr. Rodalee Ofiaza, Diwata's 2025–26 President. Speakers shared practical strategies for professional advancement and advocated for creating more leadership opportunities for women within the sector.

“The pathway for women into leadership positions is not as clearly defined as it is for men,” said Tanya. “The ‘glass ceiling’ concept is still very much alive and something we must all collaboratively work on. What is the best way to ensure that we are identifying, developing, and providing the skills and tools needed for effective leadership to the women in our businesses?"

"Days like today are a great first step toward having these discussions and allowing us to share and reflect on the perspectives of others. Just because our own individual journeys and experiences have not looked like someone else's does not diminish those experienced by another individual. Growth is about understanding and validating other people's stories and working together to forge our path forward," she added.

Diwata’s Network to the Next Level initiates an ongoing series dedicated to the professional advancement of women within the Philippine extractives industry. Diwata President Engr. Rodalee Ofiaza said, "Network to the Next Level is designed to empower women in the resource development sector by providing practical mentorship and fostering meaningful connections. We are pleased with the turnout for this pilot session and are grateful for the support of our partners and distinguished guests.”

Event attendees included professionals from the Swedish Embassy, Canadian Embassy, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, OceanaGold Philippines, Inc., SGV & Co., Ausenco, Mt. Camisong, Delta Earthmoving, Inc., the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Baguio City Mayor’s Office, NCIP, ERIEZ, OPAPRU, Project Faura, Supreme Elite, SLU Mining Engineering Society, and the Philippine Youth Association for Responsible Mining and Natural Resources (YAMAN PH).

This activity was likewise supported by Diwata Chairperson Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert; Sweden's Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Anna Ferry; Counsellor and Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Canada to the Philippines, Ms. Eleonore Christiane Rupprecht; Executive Director, Office for Peace Sustainability – Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), ASec. Susana Guadalupe Marcaida; Office of Mayor Magalong, represented by Engr. Leandro M. Tabilog, Executive Assistant III; NCIP CAR, represented by Ms. Marissa T. Labintas, Administrative Aide VI; and Mt. Camisong Property Chairman, Ms. Ludette Querubin.

Diwata-Women in Resource Development Inc. is an organization dedicated to the professional advancement of women in the mining, oil and gas, and energy sectors in the Philippines. It provides a platform for networking, mentorship, and advocacy to promote gender diversity and inclusion in the industry.

The value of the country’s metallic mineral production increased by 14.8 percent in the first nine months of 2025, driven by higher gold revenues, steady nickel prices and a sharp rebound in iron ore output, preliminary government data showed.

Figures from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) placed the value of metallic mineral production at P219.742 billion from January to September 2025, up from P191.417 billion in the same period last year.

Gold remained the biggest contributor to total output value. Despite a 5.3-percent drop in production volume — from 21,651 kilograms in 2024 to 20,500 kilograms this year — gold’s value jumped 28.9 percent to P117.421 billion, following stronger international prices. Filminera Mining Corp. and Philippine Gold Processing & Refining Corp. recorded the highest output at 4,561 kilograms.

Silver output fell 10.3 percent to 35,096 kilograms, although its total value increased 4.2 percent to P2.132 billion.

Copper concentrate production likewise declined, dropping 7.8 percent from 200,806 dry metric tons (DMT) in 2024 to 185,135 DMT this year. Its value slipped 1 percent to P20.296 billion. Carmen Copper Corp. remained the top contributor, producing 102,056 DMT.

Mixed nickel-cobalt sulfide output posted a 3.7-percent growth to 55,844 DMT, but its value fell 6.4 percent, also reflecting price movements. Nickel direct shipping ore registered a slight 0.6-percent decline in tonnage, but stronger nickel prices lifted its total value by 9 percent to P52.482 billion, making it the second-largest contributor after gold.

Iron ore posted the strongest rebound, with output surging 109.5 percent to 100,683 DMT. Its value more than doubled — rising 100.2 percent to P328.954 million — as new production lines and shipments resumed.

At the bottom of the performance chart was scandium oxalate, which recorded the steepest contraction. Both its volume and value plunged 72.3 percent, indicating a sharp slowdown in mine activity. Chromite also weakened, with quantity down 30.1 percent to 72,599 DMT and value falling 35.7 percent.

The MGB said the January–September 2025 results remain preliminary and will be updated as additional reports from mining companies are submitted.

For the second consecutive year, the TVIRD Mining Group marked another milestone in safety and emergency preparedness by taking the championship at the Mine Safety Field Competition during the 71st Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference on November 21.

The sun was warm, the wind was cool and the air was tight as cheers echoed across the Melvin Jones Grandstand. The Emergency Response Team (ERT) of TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) Balabag Gold and Silver Project was hailed overall national champion, while sister company Greenstone Resource Corp. — operator of the Siana Gold Project — placed second runner-up.

As both teams cemented their reputations as the country’s best, each company later received a Presidential Mineral Industry Environment Award during the testimonial dinner that capped the weeklong event for the local extractives industry.

The Competition

The annual safety competition brought together top rescue and emergency teams from the country’s leading mining companies. Teams were put through grueling events that tested skills in fire suppression, high-angle rescue, first aid, disaster response and other critical emergency scenarios. Precision, coordination and composure under pressure were essential — and the TVIRD Mining Group teams delivered on all fronts.

The Balabag team’s victory — a remarkable back-to-back championship — reflects years of training and meticulous emergency drills simulating real-life crisis situations. Observers noted the team’s seamless coordination, sharp technical execution and calm demeanor, which ultimately distinguished it from the competition.

Adding to the group’s collective success, the Siana team placed first runner-up in the Fire Extinguishment category and overall second runner-up nationally. The recognition underscores Greenstone’s dedication to continuous safety improvement, capacity building and fostering a culture of preparedness across its workforce.

The Siana team also recently won first runner-up at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Caraga Regional Fire Competition in Patin-ay, Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur, where newly recruited ERT members showcased their fire safety and emergency response skills.

“Both teams demonstrated what it means to be truly prepared. Our collective mindset is that our comeback this year is personal,” said TVIRD Mining Group Safety and Health Manager Aldrin Arieta, who directly supervised both teams’ rigorous training programs, advanced safety protocols and mental preparation.

Safety as a Culture

The group’s thrust, “Safety Begins With Me: Let’s Go for Zero Accident,” highlights its high level of preparedness. More than trophies, the recent achievements of the Balabag and Siana teams are a testament to TVIRD’s commitment to operational safety as it continues to set new benchmarks in both regional and national industry competitions — as well as real-life crisis response.

“Their discipline and commitment to safety are not just for competition. They reflect the standards we uphold every day at our sites — protecting employees, stakeholders and the community,” Arieta added.

Safety remains a shared mission for TVIRD — one that unites the organization across its project sites. It is a collective commitment that reinforces a sense of purpose among personnel and beneficiary communities alike.

To date, TVIRD has trained community-based emergency response teams in Balabag and Siana, equipping residents with advanced emergency preparedness skills. These communities now have the capacity to respond to emergencies and manage crisis situations themselves. By strengthening local resilience, TVIRD has fostered a culture of safety both within the organization and among the communities that place their trust in the company.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla emphasized the pivotal role of responsible mining in promoting sustainable economic growth and uplifting local communities.

Speaking at the Pilipinas Conference organized by StratBase ADR Institute in Makati, Lotilla highlighted the DENR’s ongoing reforms through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, aimed at a more integrated and future-focused governance approach in the mining sector.

“We are advancing a whole-of-government policy shift to elevate the mining sector's contribution to national development. At present, mining contributes roughly 1 percent to the national gross domestic product,” he said.

“Through targeted policy interventions, we aim to double this to 2 percent by 2028, and to do so not through extraction alone, but through value-adding, downstream processing, and better integration with clean energy and manufacturing supply chains,” he added.

Lotilla stressed that these reforms go beyond regulatory measures. “Wealth beneath the ground means little if it does not translate to sustainable, equitable value above ground," he said.

The DENR is finalizing an executive order to establish a national policy framework for developing a critical minerals industry, Lotilla said. The framework will promote responsible exploration and extraction while encouraging investment in processing, circular value chains, and domestic manufacturing—moving the country beyond exporting raw ore.

“It will ensure that our environmental rules are not diluted, but instead modernized to keep pace with innovation, climate realities, and market demand,” he explained.

Lotilla noted that the policies introduced by the DENR are designed to position the Philippines as a reliable and responsible player in the global energy transition. Mineral resources will be leveraged to secure the country’s place in clean technology value chains.

Among these measures are aligning mining-related social development programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to ensure tangible benefits for host communities, streamlining permitting under the Philippine Mining Act to enhance transparency and predictability without compromising environmental safeguards, and integrating mining strategies with national economic and clean energy goals to maximize long-term value.

“The transition to a circular economy is central to our long-term resilience,” Lotilla said. “It requires going beyond traditional models of consumption and disposal, and designing systems where materials are reused, repurposed, or reintegrated into the value chain.”

“The goal is not simply to mine more. It is to mine better, process smarter, and govern with integrity so that the Philippines becomes a reliable and responsible contributor to the global clean energy transition while assuring our people and host communities of their fair share in the fruits of development, while protecting our environment,” he added.