BY: Fernando “Ronnie” S. Penarroyo Late last year, the International Rights Advocates filed a lawsuit in a Washington DC court on behalf of fourteen (14) Congolese families against several companies, alleging that their children were killed or injured while mining for cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The lawsuit further alleges ...

BY: Patricia A. O. Bunye: Over the past few months, the price of gold has been going haywire. As the coronavirus pandemic changed the world as we knew it in March, the price of gold crashed alongside stocks then quickly regained. Thereafter, a frenzy of investment drove up the price to an all-time high. On August 4, it shot up to USD2,021/troy ounce for t...

In the article we wrote from the previous issue, we challenged the Philippine mining industry to pave way for the workforce of the future. They will be spearheading the utilization of the major trends disrupting the industry - namely: electrification; digitalization; and automation. Experts revealed that among various sectors and industries, the mining in...

Residents of Barangay Talavera, Sitio Bagong Silang and Sitio Campandan received 2 kilos of Bangus each per household last May 20-21, 2020. The Bangus distributed was from the Bangus Farming Project of the United Fisherfolk Association of Bagong Silang (UFAOBS) sponsored by NAC-HMC. The Bangus Farming Project of the UFAOBS funded by the Social Development...

Nickel Asia Corp. - Hinatuan Mining Corp. (NAC-HMC) distributed P 1,600,456.00 worth of food packs to its host communities. The food packs distributed to residents of Barangay Talavera, Sitio Bagong Silang and Sitio Campandan contained 15 kilos rice, 5 cans sardines, 5 cans corned beef, 5 cans beef loaf, 5 pcs. noodles, 5 pcs. pancit canton, 700 grams mil...

By Patricia A. O. BunyeOn 08 March 2020, the Philippine Government declared a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the entire archipelago in light of confirmation of the local transmission of COVID-19. All government agencies and local government units were tasked to assist, cooperate and mobilize resources to undertake critical, urgent and appropr...

By Marcelle P. Villegas Previously, we featured an update on the mining regulations in the Philippines. We also examined the export volumes of nickel ore from the Philippines and how these had been affected by Indonesia's exports. Lastly, we discussed the viability of the Philippines' laterite ore deposits and what this could mean for future production...

Atty. Dennis A. Quintero, PABC Chair - Presenting the Brief History of Philippine Mineral Reporting Code (PMRC) at the "Focus Group Discussion on the Philippine Mineral Reporting Code and Its Relevance to the Philippine Mineral Industry", Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila - 10 Sept. 2019 (Photo by Marcelle P. Villegas, Philippine Resources Journal) By Ma...

Dr. Jun Abrajano (Photo credit: GSP and KAUST - Office of Sponsored Research) By Marcelle P. Villegas Last 26 May 2020, the Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP) conducted a webinar with guest speaker Dr. Jun Abrajano on "Geoscience in a Post-COVID-19 World: A Perspective". Dr Abrajano is the Director of the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) ...

Dr. Friedrich-Karl Bandelow received a Plaque of Appreciation from Divine World College of Calapan -- (Left to right) Dr. Aleli C. Dugan, CPA (Vice President for Academic Affairs), Ms Diana Kyth Conti (Teacher at Divine Word College of Calapan), and Engr. Rosvelinda Luzon Dequiros, LPT, Ph.D. (Dean, School of Education) (Photo credit: Dr. Friedrich-Karl B...

2 March 2020, PMEA Monthly Membership Meeting, Manila Elks Club, Makati City - "Sustainability Management" by Mr. Ian Moller, Country Manager, General Manager Sustainability, FCF Minerals (Photo by Marcelle P. Villegas, Philippine Resources Journal)By Marcelle P. VillegasEarly in May, FCF Minerals Corporation joined the national and local government in Ba...

2019 Manila FAME at World Trade Center - (L-R) Atty Leo G. Dominguez (President, OLLI Consulting Group, Inc.) and H.E. Gerard HO Wei Hong (Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines) (Photo by Marcelle P. Villegas, Philippine Resources Journal)By: Marcelle P. VillegasThe Bamboo Initiative is more than just a campaign that promotes the use of bamboo for eco...

Aroroy, Masbate -- Fisherfolks of Masbate with Reef Balls - Jocel R. Regala, Fernando Bete, Jolly N. Tumambac and Angel C. Marcaida, with Rene Dalaygon of Filminera Resources Corporation. (Photo by Marcelle P. Villegas)By: Marcelle P. VillegasThe protection of the marine ecosystem in Masbate is one of the priorities of Filminera Resources Corporation (FRC...

(L-R) Urban planner and Architect Felino “Jun” A. Palafox, Jr., Mr Joey Nelson R. Ayson (President, Philippine Mining and Exploration Association), Marcelle P. Villegas (Journalist, Philippine Resources Journal) (Photo by Matthew Brimble, Philippine Resources Journal) By: Marcelle P. Villegas “Livable cities have forward planning.” (Architect Jun Pa...

The Philippines is currently facing one of the greatest challenges to its economy with the implementation of containment measures brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. The enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed by President Duterte was extended to May 15 on areas deemed still at high risk that includes the National Capital Region and nearby provinc...

By: Fernando “Ronnie” S. PenarroyoLast 05 April 2020, former Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Fulgencio “Jun” Factoran, Jr. died from a lingering illness at the age of 76. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (cum laude) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines (valedictorian, 1967), and hi...

The crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic opens the question on how the business sector would respond to the changes this global concern may bring to the economy in the coming months. This is a case where no exemption is given. Businesses, big or small are all dealing with the crisis day by day. For an industry which relies on mass gatherings as part...

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 Inte...

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 raffl...

By Marcelle P. Villegas GeoCon was first organised in 1988 as a venue where the latest development in geosciences are shared and discussed. Each year, new ideas and fresh perspectives are presented through technical reports and exhibits. What is the importance of GEOCON in the Philippines? Since it is a conference where great minds in the field of geos...

By Marcelle P. Villegas For decades, the marine ecosystem in Masbate faces various threats like dynamite fishing which destroys the coral reefs and kills marine animals. Another is large-scale commercial fishing which causes depletion of fish population and biodiversity. These concerns are being addressed by Filminera Resources Corporation (FRC) in coo...

Baguio City -- During the 66th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) last November 2019, CTP Construction and Mining Corporation (CTPCMC) was among the winners of the Platinum Achievement Award for Surface Mining operations. During the prestigious PMIEA or Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Awards Night and Testimonia...

By Marcelle P. Villegas Have you ever lived in a neighborhood where the house beside you is under construction? Occasionally, you will hear loud noises and the air is filled with heavy fumes and industrial dust particles. This is a typical scenario from a construction site. You are lucky if your neighbor is building a small house and construction activ...

By Marcelle P. Villegas“At the moment, the company is focusing on the infrastructure such as train projects, water projects, bridge & road projects, and airport projects as this is what there is a lot of right now. As an example, for airport projects, we delivered the passenger loading bridges for the Cebu airport and for the Iloilo airport. For water...