Industry Players Challenge Anti-Mining Advocates present RTNMC as Case Study in Mining Philippines 2014

Mining Philippines 2014, Sofitel Hotel, Manila – Trying to keep its head above water, the mining industry has had it share of blacks and blues this 2014. With a mix of interesting political personalities that graced the annual affair, it was not surprising to note that this year’s event was leaner compared to 2013.

Among the political personalities who attended were: Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano – who among the three, gave the best “talk” in the room (Cayetano deviated from his presentation and opted to speak openly about his stand on mining). It was noticed that VP Binay was non-committal on his stand on mining and the current issues the industry is facing.

Aside from the fact that the current administration is “against mining” (as stated by Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano), a number of foreign mining companies, together with their investors, have resolved to pack up and slowly take their business elsewhere. But the Chamber will not take this sitting down. In fact, they are looking at another 25 years in the business.

The Chamber of Mines Philippines (COMP) has been very vocal from the start about the misconceptions on mining particularly by those organizing the Save Palawan Movement, calling the advocacy a lie.

Getting the facts straight. "Stop the Lying in Palawan" - COMP — Getting the facts straight.
“Stop the Lying in Palawan” – COMP

For more information about the Philippine mining industry, please visit and download resource materials from COMP’s presentations here.

Bigger Players Joining In

OceanaGold Sustainable Agroforestry Inc. (OGSAI), an affiliate of OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. (OGPI), have set-up ‘green’ alternatives to their mineral resource development. “Now that the Didipio Mine is in operation, we want to push sustainable environmental compliance with our advance rehabilitation programs and keep OceanaGold institutionalized as a ‘Green’ environment-friendly mining company,” said OGSAI Chairman Jose Leviste Jr.

Back in Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) aka “Nickel Asia Country” (Bataraza, Palawan) ~

Bataraza, Palawan - My trip to Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation's (RTNMC) mine site. Note to self: When surveying mine sites, boots provide better traction. Sheesh. — Bataraza, Palawan – My trip to Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation’s (RTNMC) mine site. Note to self: When surveying mine sites, boots provide better traction. Sheesh.

Bataraza, Palawan - In Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC), children of employees are given MAC computers for study. RTNMC is one of the mining companies in the country providing education, health and living services for its residents/employees. — Bataraza, Palawan – In Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC), children of employees are given MAC computers for study. RTNMC is one of the mining companies in the country providing housing, employment, education and healthcare opportunities for its residents/employees.

According to sources, women are becoming better miners of RTNMC. They are educated and bring more to the family income compared to their male counterparts. Featured in this picture are women of the Palawan tribe, also products of its educational system.

In Brief:

A leaner number of mining exhibitors and participants in recent Mining Philippines conference
A non-committal VP on actual stand with the industry
An interesting industry ‘champion’ in the person of Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano
A more involved industry that continue to challenge the misinformed mindset on mining (RTNMC, OceanaGold, etc.)

Vice President Jejomar Binay graces Mining Philippines 2014. Rumored potential Binay-MVP tandem on 2016. Speech non-committal about mining industry policy changes. — Vice President Jejomar Binay graces Mining Philippines 2014. With rumored potential Binay-MVP tandem on 2016, his speech was non-committal on actual industry stand and mining policy changes.

Vice President Jejomar Binay together with (L-R) Chamber of Mines Philippines (COMP) President Philip Benjamin Romualdez and COMP Chairman, Prof. Artemio Desini — Vice President Jejomar Binay together with (L-R) COMP President Philip Benjamin Romualdez and COMP Chairman, Prof. Artemio Desini

Mining Philippines 2014 kicks off with Sen. Grace Poe as guest speaker for the first of the three day event. Featured with Poe is Chamber of Mines President Mr. Philip Benjamin Romualdez. — Mining Philippines 2014 kicks off with Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares as guest speaker for the first of the three day event. “I am also fully supportive of the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative [PH-IETI] because it promotes greater transparency in the mining sector,” she said. Aside from full disclosure of contracts, Poe also encouraged the mining industry to “publish what you pay.” At present, 40 of the 51 mining firms operating in the Philippines have already allowed the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to inspect their financial records.

Mining is an industry we need and a major part of our development as a country - Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano — Mining is an industry we need and a major part of our development as a country – Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano. A potential ‘Champion’ for a determined industry.

The full story comes out on Issue 4 of Philippine Resources Journal.

[Representing a number of publications, the views of MissTolentino are her own and do not reflect the publication or entity she represents. For comments regarding this story, you may reach her at paulatolentino at gmail dot com]