In relation to a webinar hosted by the Philippines-Australia Business Council (PABC) last 18 July 2022, regarding the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Australian Embassy in the Philippine expressed their further support for Philippine’s economic sector through ASEAN last August. T...

How can the ASEAN-AU NZ Free Trade Agreement help the Philippines? Will their initiative and strategies for open economy help various Philippine industries like mining, construction, agriculture, transportation, telecommunications, and others? Last 18 July 2022, the Philippines Australia Business Council (PABC) in partnership with the Australia Philipp...

 Photo: 24 June 2022 - Mr. Antonio Peñalver (Executive Director, Aboitiz Construction, Inc.) at the Philippine Infrastructure and Construction Club, Seda Hotel BGC [Photo by Marcelle P. Villegas] Last 24 June 2022 in Seda Hotel BGC, Philippine Infrastructure and Construction Club hosted their first face-to-face luncheon of the year with executives from...

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) announced on 10 March 2022 that the DENR has granted MPSA 352-2022-VI to DMCI Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC). The MPSA is for SMPC’s Hamalian Limestone Project which is located at Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique. The project covers an area of 3,807.0571-hectares. This MPSA now g...

Last June 3, 2022, Gov. Tamayo announced in a public statement his decision to veto Ordinance No. 23, Series of 2022 that was passed by the Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) (or Provincial Board) of South Cotabato last May 16, 2022. The ordinance modified the Provincial Environmental Code of South Cotabato and lifted the ban on open-pit mining in the province....

What does it take to own and operate a mining company in the Philippines? Mining is one of the industries that heavily revolves around a number of laws and regulations. On Day 2 of the Philippine Mining Virtual Summit (17 March 2022), Atty Dennis A. Quintero of the Quisumbing Torres Law Office was one of the presenters. Atty Quintero gave a comprehensi...

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

Philippine Resources Journal congratulates our very own columnist, Atty Fernando “Ronnie” S. Penarroyo, for his recent appointment as the new Chairperson for the Professional Regulatory Board for Geology (PRB Geology). For several years now, Atty Penarroyo has been one of the main contributors in our publication. He specializes in Energy and Resources ...

Photo: "ADB has approved up to $4.3 billion to help finance the construction of the South Commuter Railway in the Philippines. The 54.6 km line will connect the capital Manila with the southern city of Calamba and help the country meet its climate change agenda.” [Asian Development Bank Facebook page] A financial assistance of up to $4.3 billion loan w...

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

There are many ways and technological advancements that are used in mine sites that prevent disasters and address issues like ground stability at end of mine. One of the most fascinating techniques used by OceanaGold Corp. in assuring the safety of employees and protecting the environment is the use of the Paste Backfill System. Paste backfill is an en...

Before the year ended, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu signed the Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2021-40 that lifts the ban on open-pit mining. The order was passed last 23rd of December 2021. This covers mining for copper, gold, silver and other complex ores. DENR made this decision with hopes to revive the mining industry so it may once again provi...

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) stated last 3 Nov. 2021 that they plan to buy coal power plants in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam with an objective to shut them early and to replace them with clean and renewable energy options. This will be made possible through Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM), a private-sector-led initiative that will be finan...

Last 28 October 2021, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) released a list of candidates for the National and Local Elections on 9 May 2022. A total of 97 individuals formally notified the commission and filed for candidacy to run for president. The list includes Senator Panfilo Lacson, Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr., Manila May...

In celebration of World Bamboo Day last September 18, The Philippine Mining Club presented a webinar/summit titled "Bamboo Economics and Initiatives to Re-Imagine Mining into Social Enterprises -- A Summit on Re-Imagining, Developing, and Sustaining Mining Communities in the Philippines with Bamboo."   The summit was a 5-hour online event that was ...

October is United Nations Month with its main celebration last 24 October 2021. In response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) launched their first sustainability report to highlight the industry’s contribution and impact to local communities for 2020. They presented their report ...