2019 Manila FAME at World Trade Center - (Top photo) Joseph Castillo (a.k.a. Joe Green) with the author. (Lower photo) Joseph Castillo (second from left) with his teammates in The Bamboo Initiative -- Jose Camus, Stephen Araneta and Aisa dela Cruz of OLLI, Larissa Alivio of Bamboo Initiative, and more. (Photo by Marcelle P. Villegas, Philippine Resources ...

By Marcelle P. Villegas The Apolaki Caldera is currently considered as the world's largest caldera. It was discovered in Benham Rise by marine geophysicist Jenny Anne Barretto and her team. Last June 5, 2020, an online talk show and forum in New Zealand titled "NetKapihan" had Ms Barretto as their special guest for their Philippine Independence Day spe...

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...

(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...

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 “The Philippines is currently the leader in the hydrometallurgical leaching of laterite ores but will lose its leadership position in the battery raw materials sector if supportive mining policies are not put into place quickly... or if an export ban is not implemented quickly.” (George Bujtor, 11 September 2019, Jakarta, Ind...

By Marcelle Villegas Filminera Resources Corporation (FRC) is currently the largest operating gold mine in the Philippines. For the past years, Filminera greatly contributed in upgrading their host municipality of Aroroy from a fourth class into a first-class municipality. [1] In order to fully understand the measures on how environmental protection...

By Marcelle P. Villegas Stock Market speaker, Mr Alexander "Sandy" N. Gilles, CFA, has been involved with the Philippine Mining Club Luncheon since April of 2011. It is a professional networking forum and event that provides a venue for mining industry executives, professionals, students and stakeholders. The club is affiliated with the Melbourne Minin...

By Marcelle P. Villegas Pop culture, movies, novels, literature, comic books and even video games often catch our attention and sometimes become our momentary bliss as we try to escape the real world... to find entertainment or to relax our minds. These modes in media are quite influential in ways that most of us are unaware of. For young minds or lay ...

(Photo courtesy of Mr Jason Magdaong, OceanaGold Phils. Inc. - “Didipio Mine: The Renewal of the Philippines’ First FTAA”)   According to OceanaGold Corporation (Melbourne), the Philippines Court of Appeals in Manila had set last 18 September 2019 as the hearing date for the company's application for a Writ of Preliminary Injunction. This is part of...