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.
“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) ~
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.)
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]
