After a decade of regulatory restrictions, the Philippine mining industry is re-emerging as a key driver of economic growth. Following the suspension of new mining permits under Executive Order (EO) 79 in 2012, the sector experienced significant declines in revenues, exports, and foreign investment. In 2021, EO 130 lifted the moratorium, enabling renewed ...

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central Office has successfully completed its 2nd Surveillance Audit for the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS), conducted by SGS Philippines Inc. on April 14–15, 2025. In addition, MGB-Central Office achieved recertification for ISO 9001:2015, awarded by ACS W3 Solutionz Management Consultancy on J...

A metallurgical engineer of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)chaired the recently concluded 9th Philippine Women Engineers and Scientists Summit (PWESS 9) held in Davao City from August 7 to 9, 2025. Engr. Carina de Vera Pecson of the Metallurgical Technology Division (MetD) led this year’s summit with the theme:“Deep Dive: Women Engineers and Sci...

The Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have formalized a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) aimed at enhancing beneficial ownership transparency in the country’s extractive industries. The ceremonial signing, held at the Department of Finance (DOF), was witnessed by officials fr...

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), through its Mining Technology Division (MTD), conducted the first National Mining Enforcement Workshop: “Strengthening Enforcement Against Illegal Mining” on August 12 to 15, 2025, at the Privato Hotel in Quezon City. The workshop gathered MGB regional offices nationwide to boost the bureau’s enforcement capabili...

Digital Transformation at the Core of Philippine Industry  The Philippines is entering a new era of industrial growth. In construction, infrastructure and mining, the leaders will be those who can deploy specialized, ready-to-run technology that delivers results fast. As mega-projects—from mass transport systems and energy facilities to mineral extract...

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law on September 4 Republic Act (RA) 12253, or the Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act, a landmark measure designed to give the government and communities a bigger and fairer share of mining revenues. In a ceremony at Malacañan Palace, the President described the new fiscal framework ...

Epiroc Philippines has strengthened its partnership with Quest Exploration Drilling (Philippines) Inc. (QED) through a two-week technical and product training program on remote control systems (RCS) and Diamec rigs. The training was held at QED’s head office in San Pedro, Laguna, from April 21 to May 2, 2025. According to Michael Kevin Doctor, business...

The Philippine metallic mining industry posted double-digit growth in the first half of 2025, powered by record-breaking gold prices that more than offset weaker nickel markets. Data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) showed that the sector’s total value rose 15.1 percent to ₱135.62 billion from ₱117.78 billion a year earlier. The increase of ...

Silangan Mindanao Mining Co., Inc. (SMMCI) recently welcomed the Barangay Local Government Unit of Macalaya, led by Barangay Captain Archelle Ongayo and his council, for a full-day site learning visit at the Silangan Project. The visit was designed to give the barangay officials a firsthand look at the mine’s ongoing development, safety protocols, and ...

Silangan Mindanao Mining Co., Inc. (SMMCI) marked another milestone on Thursday, August 28, 2025, completing the long-planned tunnel connection to the Exhaust Drive and establishing the project’s full underground ventilation series. The achievement, considered a critical safety and engineering requirement, was reached earlier than expected. Originally ...

Weir has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with MINEXXT Inc. to push forward sustainable solutions in thickened and paste tailings management, a move that underscores the company’s drive to remain a global leader in the field. Under the agreement, Weir will integrate MINEXXT’s patented thickening technology into its global tailings portfolio. ...

Benguet Corp., the country’s oldest mining company, reported a strong earnings performance for the second quarter of 2025 as revenues and net income rose sharply on the back of higher production and sales. The listed miner said consolidated revenues reached P1.1 billion in the April-to-June period, a 33% increase from P800 million in the same quarter l...

Listed miner Apex Mining Co., Inc. posted a 70% increase in consolidated net income for the first half of 2025, reaching ₱3.2 billion compared with ₱1.89 billion in the same period last year. The gold producer sold 51,436 ounces of gold in the first half of 2025, slightly lower than the 52,993 ounces sold year over year. Despite the drop in gold sales ...

DMCI Mining subsidiary Berong Nickel Corporation (BNC) has signed a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) on August 8, 2025 for its Long Point property in Aborlan, Palawan. Covering about 2,177.34 hectares, the MPSA grants BNC the exclu...

OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. (PSE: OGP) booked a net income of nearly $15 million (about ₱851 million) in the second quarter of 2025 on revenues of $96 million (₱5.44 billion), buoyed by record gold prices and higher output from its Didipio mine in Luzon. Earnings per share came in at $0.01, while the average realized gold price hit an all-time high o...