International miners still bullish on PH prospects

TORONTO—Shrugging off volatile markets and a controversial revamp of the country’s mining policy, most international mining firms continue to be bullish on their prospects in the Philippines.

The mining executives aired their views separately during the PDAC (Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada) 2013 convention held here.

“Although many companies have come and gone, we are still here,” said MBMI Resources Inc. president and CEO John Wong, whose company is seeking the reinstatement of its license for large-scale mining operations in Palawan. “We believe that there is great potential in the Philippines, and the mining revamp will help responsible companies operate in better harmony with the government and the communities.”

TVI Pacific Inc., whose Philippine unit completed its 34th copper shipment last month, has already announced the delivery of five copper concentrate shipments, along with two zinc concentrate shipments.

TVI has also progressed on a joint venture deal with another miner, Mindoro Resources Ltd., covering the Agata and Pan de Azucar mining projects located in Mindanao and Panay island, respectively.

Meanwhile, Jeremiah Windego, CEO of Naicatchewenin Development Corp. (NDC), has expressed willingness to teach Indigenous Peoples communities in the Philippines how to spot and develop economic opportunities in mining and other industries. NDC is a corporation set up by the Chief Council of Naicatchewenin First Nation (a major aboriginal group in Canada) for the purpose of exploring economic opportunities that benefit its members.