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CHC Navigation: Integrated Geospatial Systems for Enhanced Efficiency, Risk Mitigation in Modern Mining Operations
From the vast open pits to the sediment-filled settling ponds, a mining operation is a landscape in constant, measured motion.
For the Philippine mining industry, mastering this motion—the movement of earth, water, and infrastructure—is the key to unlocking new levels of efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility.
At the heart of this transformation is a comprehensive technological approach that builds a single, unified digital reality of the entire site.
Imagine a mining manager who no longer must rely on fragmented reports. Instead, they view a living digital twin of their operation, where data from drones, autonomous boats, and ground sensors flows into one coherent picture.
This is the integrated ecosystem that CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) is bringing to the field, weaving together marine, terrestrial, and monitoring technologies into a seamless workflow.
The journey often begins at the water's edge. Siltation in tailing ponds and reservoirs is more than an operational headache; it's an environmental imperative.
Here, CHCNAV’s Apache series Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), like the Apache 4 and Apache 6, are taking on the task. These fully autonomous vessels navigate pre-programmed routes, using advanced echo sounders to map the underwater terrain.
For particularly challenging areas, the HQ400 multibeam echo sounder can be deployed, painting a high-resolution, three-dimensional picture of the sediment buildup. This isn't just a map; it's a precise volumetric calculation that tells engineers exactly how much silt has accumulated, enabling proactive dredging and preventing compliance issues before they start.
But a mine is more than its reservoirs. The material dredged from the water is tracked as it moves to stockpiles, and then as ore is extracted from the pit.
This is where CHCNAV’s mapping solutions create the next layer of intelligence. In the air, the X500 UAV conducts aerial surveys, capturing the vast, changing topography of the site through photogrammetry and LiDAR.
On the ground, the workhorse RS10 measurement system provides centimetre-level accuracy for the details of daily operations. It’s used to validate the volume of a truckload, perform a final check on a stockpile calculation, and ensure that what was moved matches what was planned.
This seamless data handoff from the UAV to the RS10 closes the loop on material tracking, eliminating discrepancies and giving management a trustworthy, real-time view of production efficiency.
Yet, a mine is a dynamic and sometimes unstable environment. The final, critical layer of this digital twin is real-time vigilance. The same high walls being mapped from the air and the massive stockpiles being measured from the ground need to be monitored for the slightest sign of movement.
This is the domain of CHCNAV’s monitoring solutions. Strategically placed around the site, the PS-2000 radar and H3 GNSS receiver act as a silent sentinel network. They continuously track points, feeding data to a platform.
If a slope begins to deform beyond safe parameters, the system doesn’t just record it; it alerts site managers instantly, allowing them to evacuate an area or initiate corrective action before a minor shift becomes a major incident.
What makes this approach revolutionary is not just the power of each tool, but their synergy. The bathymetric data from the Apache USV informs the sediment volume added to a stockpile, which is measured by the RS10 and monitored for stability by the PS-2000. It’s a continuous, closed loop of geospatial intelligence.
For the Philippine mining industry, this integrated, end-to-end solution marks a pivotal shift. It moves beyond reactive problem-solving to proactive, data-driven management.
By building a single, undeniable truth about the mining operations—from the bottom of the tailing pond to the crest of the open pit—mining companies are now empowered to achieve the highest standards of productivity, safety, and sustainability.
About CHC Navigation
CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) develops advanced mapping, navigation, and positioning solutions designed to increase productivity and efficiency.
Serving industries such as geospatial, agriculture, construction, and autonomy, CHCNAV delivers innovative technologies that empower professionals and drive industry advancement.
With a global presence spanning over 140 countries and a team of more than 2,000 professionals, CHC Navigation is recognized as a leader in the geospatial industry and beyond.
For those interested, QES Technology Philippines invites mining companies to schedule a demonstration onsite.
QES offices are located at Metro Manila Unit 507, Page 1 Building, Acacia Avenue, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa, 1780 and Mindanao National Highway, KM. 4, Brgy. Luna, Surigao City.
Consultations, demo scheduling, and quotation requests are available through +632 8771 1248, via email at qtpmarketing@qesnet.com, or by visiting www.qesnet.com.
Comparison of Filter Packs in Well Design: Gravel vs. Glass Beads
By Thomas Hanna, PG, Technical Director – Johnson Screens
The use of Shur-Pak glass beads is becoming a better choice for the long-term operational costs of wells.
This article compares the performance of two nearby wells—RWD 2004-6 and RWD 2024-6—constructed in the Quaternary High Plains aquifer near Lancaster, Nebraska, USA.
These municipal supply wells were drilled approximately 600 feet apart and constructed using similar methods, materials, and dimensions, with one key difference: RWD 2004-6 was completed in 2004 using #1 Northern gravel as a filter pack, while RWD 2024-6, drilled in 2024, used Shur-Pak 12-16 glass beads.
Glass beads are increasingly favored in well construction due to their uniform size, smooth surface, and chemical inertness.
Compared to natural gravel, which varies in shape and composition, glass beads offer consistent porosity, enhanced hydraulic conductivity, and reduced biofouling risk, resulting in lower well ownership costs.
Well Design and Construction
The general geology of the site, based on geologic well logs, shows the upper 80–150 ft of the aquifer consisted of silt and clay consistent with loess and glacial deposits. Below this, fine to coarse sands of the aquifer were deposited over shale.
Sand thickness ranged from approximately 80–266 ft below ground surface (bgs) in RWD 2004-6 and from 149–248 ft bgs in RWD 2024-6. Static water levels ranged from 70–80 ft bgs.
The wells were drilled using reverse circulation mud rotary. Bentonite- and polymer-based drilling fluids were used, and viscosities were thinned with Nu-Well 220 clay dispersant before development.
Both wells were completed with 16-inch 304SS wire-wrapped screens and PVC risers:
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RWD 2004-6 (Gravel): 70 ft of screen, 0.045-in slot, #1 Northern gravel
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RWD 2024-6 (Glass): 40 ft of screen, 0.035-in slot, Shur-Pak 12-16
Filter packs were installed by the tremie method, and the annular space was grouted from approximately 190 ft bgs to 17 ft bgs with 3/8-inch bentonite chips. The upper 10 ft were sealed with neat cement to complete the sanitary seal (Table 1).
Well Development
Both wells were developed using a double surge block tool, operated at a 20-ft stroke and 10-second interval, while pumping at approximately 400 gpm.
The results presented in Table 2 show that RWD 2004-6 (Gravel) took approximately 2 hours per 20-ft interval to reduce water from muddy to cloudy, and an additional 30 minutes to clear completely.
Fines present at the end of each interval were about 10–15 mg/L. RWD 2024-6 (Shur-Pak) took 45 minutes to go from muddy to cloudy per interval, and 10 more minutes to clear. No fines were observed post-development.
Test Pumping
Both wells underwent a 24-hour pumping test.
RWD 2004-6 (Gravel) was pumped at 800 gpm with 15 ft of drawdown, resulting in a specific capacity of 53.3 gpm/ft. The sand content during pumping was 30 ppm, and the fill noted at the bottom of the well was 1 ft.
RWD 2024-6 (Shur-Pak) was pumped at 750 gpm with 13 ft of drawdown, resulting in a specific capacity of 57.7 gpm/ft. The sand content at the end of pumping was 10 ppm, and no fill was noted at the bottom of the well. The pumping test summary is presented in Table 3.
Conclusion
The well completed with glass beads (RWD 2024-6) demonstrated significantly faster development, requiring less than half the time needed for the gravel-packed well. Additionally, it produced cleaner water with no fines or sediment accumulation following development or pumping.
Despite having a shorter screened interval and a finer screen slot, it achieved a slightly higher specific capacity, indicating improved hydraulic efficiency and supporting the performance advantages of glass bead filter packs in well design and construction.
Shur-Pak glass beads are a good solution for constructing higher-capacity wells that are more economical to own compared to wells completed with gravel filter packs.
For further questions, contact Thom Hanna at: thom.hanna@johnsonscreens.com.
Drive Smarter, Work Safer: Tips to Boost Mining Productivity
Mining is a tough industry where every minute counts. To stay efficient and safe, operators must follow best practices that reduce downtime and extend equipment life. Here are three simple but powerful tips every mine site should follow—plus how Higantis can help you get the most out of them.
1. Operate Haul Trucks Properly
Haul trucks are the backbone of mining transport. Poor operating habits can cause unnecessary wear, increase fuel consumption, and compromise safety.
Operators should avoid abrupt starts and stops, sudden braking, excessive speed, sharp turns, and steering while stationary. Overloading should also be avoided, as it strains components and damages tyres.
Consistent, smooth driving not only extends equipment life—it also keeps everyone on site safer.
2. Maintain Good Road Conditions
Good haul roads make a big difference. Keep routes clean, dry, and free from oil, rocks, and puddles to prevent tyre damage and accidents.
How Higantis can help: Our team conducts on-site tyre and road assessments to identify issues that cause early wear and to recommend improvements for safer, smoother operations.
3. Inspect Tyres Regularly
Check tyres before and after every shift. Look for cuts, tears, missing lugs, and ensure proper inflation. Don’t forget valve stems—make sure they’re tight and properly seated.
How Higantis can help: Through our OTR tyre management programme, we monitor tyre pressure, inspect for damage, and design maintenance plans that maximise tyre life while minimising downtime.
By following these tips, you can reduce costs, boost productivity, and keep your mining operations running safely and efficiently.
For more tyre care tips, visit higantis.com or contact us directly at inquiry@higantis.com.
Weir launches new report to drive sustainable water practices in mining
Weir, a global leader in mining technology, today announces the launch of its latest report, Untapped: Mining’s opportunity to unlock value through strategic water management and innovative technology. The report highlights the critical role of water in mining and sets out a strategic vision for elevating water stewardship across the industry.
As the world accelerates towards a low-carbon future, demand for metals and minerals is surging. Yet, mining operations are increasingly located in water-stressed regions, intensifying the need for innovative water management. Weir’s new research, based on insights from industry experts, champions the untapped potential for the mining sector to improve water use, future-proof operations, and build trust with stakeholders.
Key findings from the report include:
- Water is under pressure: 16% of the world’s critical mineral mines are in highly water-stressed areas, with copper particularly exposed.
- Integrated, end-to-end management is essential: Every mine is unique, but there is an opportunity to move from localised fixes to holistic solutions by combining geological and geographical data to evaluate best-available technology and drive strategic, systems-based change.
- Innovative technologies exist today: From advanced ore sorting and comminution to tailings dewatering, proven solutions can reduce water use and improve efficiency.
- Holistic frameworks are emerging: Industry bodies such as ICMM and CEEC are driving alignment on metrics and best practices, enabling better decision-making and transparency.
Jon Stanton, CEO of Weir, said that Untapped brings together insights from across the mining sector to highlight both the challenges and opportunities in water management.
"I want to thank the many industry professionals who contributed their expertise to this important resource. By working together and embracing new approaches and technologies, we can unlock greater value from water, strengthen trust with our stakeholders, and help secure a more sustainable future for mining," Stanton said.
The report invites discussion to shift from process-specific problem-solving to strategic water stewardship, urging collaboration between industry leaders, technology innovators, communities, financiers, and governments. By elevating water to a central corporate priority, mining can scale up sustainably, reduce risks, and drive the net zero transition.
Founded in 1871, The Weir Group PLC is one of the world’s leading engineering businesses, with a purpose to make its mining and infrastructure customers’ operations more sustainable and efficient. Weir’s highly engineered technology and digital solutions enable critical resources to be produced using less energy, water, and waste while reducing customers’ total cost of ownership. The Group is ideally positioned to benefit from structural trends that support long-term demand for its technology, including the need for essential metals to support economic development and the carbon transition.
The Group has approximately 12,000 employees operating in over 50 countries, with a presence in every major mining region worldwide. Find out more at www.global.weir.
Mining and Data Privacy: Protecting Both Natural and Digital Resources
Minerals, Data, and a New Kind of Resource Wealth
By Fernando Penarroyo
The Philippines has long been recognized as one of the world’s most mineral-rich countries. With deposits of nickel, copper, and gold, it plays a vital role in global supply chains, especially at a time when electric cars, batteries, and renewable energy systems are driving demand for these resources.
Even though mining can create jobs, bring in much-needed revenue, and connect the Philippines to international markets, there is still the lingering perception that it can harm the environment and displace communities.
Now, another kind of resource is taking center stage alongside minerals—data. Mining in the twenty-first century is not only about extracting ores from the earth; it is also about gathering information.
While mining companies use drones to map terrain, satellites to track environmental changes, and sensors to monitor everything from air quality to worker safety, they also collect information from host communities and indigenous peoples.
Through surveys on health, demographics, and community sentiment, mining companies are no longer just extracting resources from the ground, they also “extracting” information from people and the environment.
Handled poorly, this new form of extraction can create serious risks for privacy, fairness, and sovereignty. But handled well, it can be turned into an opportunity to strengthen communities, improve governance, and protect national interests.
The Philippines has the chance to set an example by treating both minerals and data as shared resources that must be managed responsibly for the benefit of Filipinos.
Digital Mining: How Data Transforms Operations
Mining today is highly digitized. Advanced technologies have transformed operations, making it possible for companies to work more efficiently and safely. Drones are used to create detailed maps of landscapes, satellites help track changes in forests and water bodies, and sensors provide constant updates on machinery and safety conditions. These tools generate huge amounts of data that can be used to comply with environmental rules, improve productivity, and reduce accidents.
Beyond technology, mining firms also collect information directly from communities. Environmental and social impact assessments often involve surveys about health and livelihoods, while corporate social responsibility programs may gather data on education and living standards. In some cases, companies or their contractors even monitor social media to see how people feel about mining projects.
When collected and shared responsibly, this kind of information can be valuable. It can help companies respond more quickly to community concerns, give government agencies evidence to enforce rules, and provide communities with the data they need to push for better services.
For example, if surveys show an increase in health issues near a mining site, this could become the basis for improved health care in the area. If water quality tests reveal pollution, communities could use this data to demand cleaner practices or compensation. In this way, data has the potential to balance power between corporations, the state, and its citizens.
The Risks of Data Extraction
However, risks arise when data collection is done without fairness or transparency. One of the biggest concerns is that communities may not give informed consent for how their data is used.
Under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, indigenous groups must give their free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) before mineral exploration and mining operations begin on their land.
Yet FPIC usually does not extend to data collection. This means a community might allow a project to operate but not realize their personal information and opinions, or household details are being stored and possibly shared with third parties.
Another issue is information imbalance. Often, companies collect data and share it with investors or government agencies but not with the very people from whom the information was generated and most affected by the operations.
A mining company may test river water quality and submit a report to regulators saying conditions are safe, but families who depend on that water for farming or drinking may never see the full results. This creates an unfair situation where those who face the risks have the least access to the knowledge that could help them.
There is also the potential for misuse. In areas where opposition to mining is strong, information about community leaders or activists could be used to monitor them. Even if this is not the intention, the risk remains that data collected for one purpose could later be applied in ways that put individuals at risk.
Data as Resource Wealth
Despite these challenges, data can be seen as an opportunity if it is treated as a resource in its own right. Just as minerals are considered part of national patrimony, there is a strong case for viewing mining-related data as a national asset.
Companies see it as part of their business operations, but governments recognize its value for planning, monitoring, and security, while communities see it as essential for protecting their health and livelihoods. Balancing these interests is key.
This debate mirrors the general struggle over mineral sovereignty. For decades, Filipinos have insisted that the benefits of mining flow to the nation before being repatriated abroad. The same logic can apply to information.
The Philippines supplies large amounts of nickel and copper, which are critical for the global shift to clean energy. Investors often require access to operational data before they commit funds. If the Philippines asserts sovereignty over this information, it can make sure it is shared under terms that benefit the country, not just outside players.
Mining Data, Geopolitics and National Security
The strategic value of mining-related data goes beyond economics. Geological surveys, environmental records, and infrastructure maps have national security implications. If such information is stored abroad or left in foreign hands, the Philippines could lose control over knowledge about its own resources.
This is especially important in a world where powerful nations like the United States and China are competing for control of supply chains for clean energy. In this context, protecting mining data is not only about fairness for host communities but also about protecting sovereignty at the national level.
Handled wisely, mining data can enhance the Philippines’ negotiating position. A country that demonstrates strong data governance signals to investors and partners that it values not only economic efficiency but also sovereignty and rights. This can attract responsible investment, increase trust, and prevent exploitative practices.
Toward Dual Stewardship of Resources and Data
Critics of mining often use the term “extractivism” to describe the large-scale removal of resources that benefits outsiders more than locals. Increasingly, some fear that the same thing is happening with information. Data is being “extracted” from people without giving them anything in return.
Yet the Philippines has an opportunity to change this narrative. Instead of allowing extractivism to dominate, the country can practice shared stewardship. This means treating minerals and data not as things to be taken but as resources to be managed responsibly, with benefits fairly distributed.
Imagine if every community near a mine automatically received the results of environmental and health studies in plain, easy-to-understand language.
Imagine if mining companies used the data they collect not just to meet legal requirements but also to invest in cleaner water, stronger health systems, and better local infrastructure.
Imagine if the government stored mining data locally and used it to guide national plans for disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
This is the vision of stewardship: turning data into a tool for empowerment.
The Role of the Data Privacy Act of 2012
The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) provides a foundation for this. The law protects individual personal information in both government and private sectors by regulating the collection, processing, and storage of personal data.
It created the National Privacy Commission to implement regulations, protect data subjects' rights, and ensure the country's data protection measures are in line with international standards.
The law emphasizes transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality, meaning that data must be collected openly, only for clear reasons, and in amounts that are necessary. For mining companies, this means employee records, health surveys, and community data must all be handled responsibly.
In practice, enforcement is still uneven. Many communities are not fully aware of their rights under the law, and the National Privacy Commission has limited resources to enforce such rights.
Environmental regulators rarely coordinate with privacy regulators, leaving gaps in oversight. But these challenges can be addressed. With stronger cooperation, more training, and better resources, the Data Privacy Act can become a powerful tool for protecting and empowering both people and the nation.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Privacy Issues
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now integral to modern mining operations, optimizing exploration, production, logistics, and sustainability. However, this integration brings complex data-privacy challenges.
AI systems in mining collect vast amounts of information ranging from worker biometrics to operational performance data, which may contain personally identifiable or sensitive industrial details.
These systems often aggregate and analyze data across departments, leading to privacy risks such as surveillance concerns, unintentional re-identification, and exposure through third-party vendors or cross-border data transfers.
The growing use of AI also introduces risks tied to the difficulty of explaining or contesting automated decisions affecting individuals.
As AI systems become more involved in making or supporting decisions, it becomes harder for people and sometimes even for the companies using them to understand how or why those decisions were made. The Data Privacy Act demand stronger governance, emphasizing employee consent, data minimization, and transparency.
Meanwhile, regulatory trends such as data localization are reshaping how global mining firms handle information.
Data localization prohibits or restricts the transfer of certain types of data (especially personal, environmental, or strategic industrial data) to servers or cloud platforms located outside the country. The goal is to protect national sovereignty, privacy, and security by keeping sensitive data under Philippine jurisdiction.
Beyond compliance, these measures have strategic implications. As AI turns data into a valuable asset, privacy management becomes central to maintaining corporate reputation and social license to operate. Breaches or unethical use of data could harm community trust and investor confidence.
Ultimately, while AI enhances efficiency and sustainability, it also demands rigorous, transparent, and ethical data governance to ensure that innovation aligns with human rights and privacy standards.
Policy Pathways: From Protection to Empowerment
Several steps can help move toward this vision. Extending social license and community consent to cover digital data would give communities control over how their information is collected and used. Guaranteeing that communities have access to health and environmental data would ensure transparency.
Requiring that sensitive mining information be stored properly would protect sovereignty. Including data practices in environmental impact assessments would mandate companies to explain not only how they treat land and water but also how they handle digital information.
Strengthening the capacity of regulators and encouraging public-private partnerships could further build systems where digital data is shared responsibly. Each of these pathways transforms digital information from a potential liability into a tool for empowerment and development.
Conclusion
Mining in the Philippines has never been just about minerals. It has always been about who benefits, who bears the costs, and who gets to decide.
In the digital age, this struggle now extends to data. Communities that once fought for land rights must now also claim their informational rights, while the state must balance local needs with global pressures. This is not only a challenge but also an opportunity.
By protecting both natural and digital resources, the Philippines can move beyond extractivism and build a model of stewardship that is inclusive, sustainable, and sovereign.
If mining is left unchecked, it could continue to drain both natural wealth and informational resources without fairly benefiting the country. But if managed wisely, the Philippines can turn mining into a force for justice and sustainability.
Protecting both land and information ensures that communities are empowered, companies are accountable, and the nation secures its place in a competitive world. Mining responsibly and governing data fairly are not separate goals. They are part of the same fight for dignity, sovereignty, and the future of the Filipino people.
Fernando “Ronnie” S. Penarroyo specializes in Energy and Resources Law, Project Finance and Business Development. He is also currently the Chair of the Professional Regulatory Board of Geology, the government agency mandated under law to regulate and develop the geology profession. For any matters or inquiries in relation to the Philippine resources industry and suggested topics for commentaries, contact him at fspenarroyo@penpalaw.com. Atty. Penarroyo’s commentaries are also archived at his professional blogsite www.penarroyo.com
