Philippine Mineral Resources

Quick Facts  The Philippines is situated along the Circum-Pacific Ring of Fire, where the processes of volcanism and plate convergence caused the deposition of minerals, both metallic and non-metallic.  The large reserves of various kinds of minerals beneath our ground has put the country in the world mineral map as 5 th mineral country in the world,  3 rd in gold reserves,  4 th in copper, and  5 th in nickel.

Quick Facts  Around 9 million hectares, or 30% of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares, is believed to contain important metallic mineral deposits; while 5 million hectares are also known to be potential sites for non-metallic mineral reserves.

Quick Facts  The country’s offshore areas, which cover around 2.2 million square kilometers, also contain placer minerals, including gold, magnetite and chromite-bearing sands, aggregate resources like sand and gravel, decorative stones, and polymetallic sulfide deposits.

Quick Facts  In all, the country’s estimated mineral reserves are placed at about 14.5 billion metric tons of metallic minerals and about billion metric tons of non-metallic minerals.

Quick Facts  Among our important metallic minerals found in abundance in various parts of the country include gold, copper, iron, chromite, nickel, cobalt and platinum, while our non-metallic resources include sand and gravel, limestone, marble, clay, and other quarry materials.

Quick Facts  The most prolific copper and gold producers in the Philippines are found in the Baguio and Mankayan districts, province of Benguet; although the Surigao-Davao districts are also contributing much to Philippine gold production. Major producers of nickel are in Palawan and Surigao.

Living with Minerals

What is mining?  Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals and other materials from the ground.

What are the different stages of mining? Mining is composed of four (4) stages, these are: 1. Exploration 2. Development and Construction 3. Utilization/Commercial Operation 4. Decommissioning/final mining stage/Rehabilitation stage

What is exploration?  Exploration is the process of searching for valuable minerals and quantifying them. It enables the mining company to determine whether there is a feasible deposit for mining development and production.

How is mining regulated?  Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, DENR Administrative Order 96-40, as amended, is the main legal framework regulating the mining industry. On the other hand, Republic Act No and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, DENR Administrative Order 34, series of 1992, governs small scale mining.

Are all areas open to mining activities? No, there are areas that are closed to mining. Per Section 19 of the Mining Act, R.A. 7942, Mineral Agreement or Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement applications shall not be allowed: (a) In military and other government reservations, except upon prior written clearance by the government agency concerned; (b) Near or under public or private buildings, cemeteries, archeological and historic sites, bridges, highways, waterways, railroads, reservoirs, dams or other infrastructure projects, public or private works including plantations or valuable crops, except upon written consent of the government agency or private entity concerned;

(c) In areas expressly prohibited by law; and (d) Old growth or virgin forests, proclaimed watershed forest reserves, wilderness area, mangrove forests, mossy forests, national parks, provincial/municipal forests, parks, greenbelts, game refuge and bird sanctuaries as defined by law and in areas expressly prohibited under the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) under Republic Act No. 7586, Department Administrative Order No. 25, series of 1992 and other laws. Are all areas open to mining activities?

Can mining and environmental protection co-exist? Yes, responsible mining and environmental protection can co-exist. Modern and responsible mining does not destroy the environment; it just alters it to another land use. The future use of the land after mining is designed and planned even before mining starts. The government also requires that mining contractors institute an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program before the mining operation starts in order to protect the environment.

What is the economic contribution of mining?  Since the revitalization of the minerals industry in 2004, at least US$1.4 billion has already been invested in the country.  It is expected that this investment will reach USD11.3 billion by 2011 while generating an annual foreign exchange of at least USD10.1 Billion from exports of mineral products.