69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference: Spurring mining to greater heights of safety, innovation and sustainability

The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association, in cooperation with the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers, the minerals industry and other professional organizations, held the 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference with the theme MINING 4.0: Safer, Smarter and Sustainable on November 14 to 17, 2023 in Baguio City. The Opening Program and Mining Exhibit took place on November 14 at the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center.  It was followed by the Community Relations Conference which featured various presentations on the far-reaching social development efforts of the minerals industry on November 15 at the same venue. The said conference was graced by no less than Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson, United States of America Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of the Philippines.  Moreover, the Youth Congress was held at Hotel Henrico while sports events continue reading : 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference: Spurring mining to greater heights of safety, innovation and sustainability

MGB ROXIII conducts IEC Campaign on Vulnerability and Risk Assessment to four municipalities in Surigao del Norte

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII conducted an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) to four (4) municipalities in the Province of Surigao del Norte on October 24 to 27, 2023. The recipient municipalities of the four-day IEC-VRA campaign were Tubod, Placer, Malimono, and San Francisco.  The objective of the IEC-VRA campaign is to provide additional technical information on Risk Exposure to the Local Government Units (LGUs) for risk-sensitive land-use, development, and disaster risk reduction and management plans and programs. The said IEC-VRA campaigns were attended by the Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRM) Council of the LGUs headed by their respective Municipal Mayors who were represented during the activity by the MDRRM Officer and the Municipal Planning and Development Officer. The participants were welcomed by Mr. Noel G. Lumague, Officer-in-Charge of the Geosciences Division of MGB Regional Office continue reading : MGB ROXIII conducts IEC Campaign on Vulnerability and Risk Assessment to four municipalities in Surigao del Norte

Caraga Metallic Mineral Sales for CY 2023: A Significant Contributor to Economic Development

The Caraga mining industry remains to be a significant contributor to the country’s economic development as well as in the foreign-exchange earnings through the mineral exports. As of 3rd quarter of the current calendar year, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII presents the partial and unreconciled Metallic Mineral Resources Data on Sales of the 18 Nickel mines, two (2) Gold with Silver mines, and one (1) processing plant. Table 1 – Metallic Mineral Resources Data on Sales of the operating/producing mines covering the period of January to September of CY 2023 Item No. Mineral Commodity No. of Shipments Actual Volume Gross Sales Value (in PhP) 01 Nickeliferous Ore 454 25,424,197.55 WMT 32,776,535,678.09 02 Gold Doré 20 1,569.65 kg 5,515,894,553.11 03 Silver Doré 14 683.36 kg 30,885,767.98 04 Nickel/Cobalt Mixed Sulfides 10 47,183.449 WMT 24,971,411,586.31 05 Scandium Oxalate 10 23,003.80 wkg 296,954,828.31 06 Chromite 2 54,229.20 WMT 847,781,051.87 continue reading : Caraga Metallic Mineral Sales for CY 2023: A Significant Contributor to Economic Development

MGB facilitates Training-Workshop and Capacity Building for Personnel Responsible for Statistical Data Generation and Analysis and Information Dissemination

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau facilitated the Training-Workshop and Capacity Building for MGB Personnel Responsible for Statistical Data Generation and Analysis and Information Dissemination on October 16 to 20, 2023 at Swiss-Belhotel Blulane in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Primarily aimed at capacitating Information Officers, Economists, Information Technology Specialists, System Network Administrators and Information Technology Focal Persons in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, the five-day training also aimed to keep them abreast of the current trends and cutting-edge tools in social media management and data visualization.  The training was packed with plenaries, workshops and breakout sessions.  It featured presentations on Description of Performance Indicators of Regional Offices by Mr. Ariel A. De Jesus, Development Management Officer III of Mineral Statistics Section and Proposed Standardization of Regional Websites, Creation of MGB Website Content Calendar, Social Media Management Tools, Creation of MGB Social Media Content Calendar and Data Visualization using Flourish and Canva continue reading : MGB facilitates Training-Workshop and Capacity Building for Personnel Responsible for Statistical Data Generation and Analysis and Information Dissemination

MGB conducts Strategic Planning of the MGB-GAD Focal Point System and Training-Workshop on the Finalization of 2024 GAD Plan and Budget

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted the Strategic Planning of the MGB-Gender and Development Focal Point System of Central and Regional Offices and Training-Workshop on the Finalization of 2024 GAD Plan and Budget on October 3 to 5, 2023 at Linden Suites in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The three-day training-workshop generally intended to enhance the capacities of MGB GAD Focal Point System, Program and Project Teams, and personnel in implementing gender-responsive programs, projects, and activities. At the end of the activity, the participants were expected to: identify concepts on Gender Analysis and GAD Plan and Budget and appreciate their importance in implementing gender-responsive programs and projects; develop, finalize, and present comprehensive program and/or project concept notes/documents that respond to the elements sought by the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines as official attachment to annual agency GAD Plan and Budget; and draft and finalize MGB GAD Plan and Budget 2024. Representatives continue reading : MGB conducts Strategic Planning of the MGB-GAD Focal Point System and Training-Workshop on the Finalization of 2024 GAD Plan and Budget

MGB holds 2023 Annual Technical Forum

In keeping with its continuing education program, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau held the 2023 Annual Technical Forum on September 26-29, 2023 at Chali Resort and Conference Center in Cagayan de Oro City. The theme of this year‘s forum is #TheFutureIsMINE: Innovative Technologies and Practices in Geosciences and Minerals Industry. It was hosted by MGB Regional Office No. X. Participants from MGB Central Office and MGB Regional Offices attended the forum which showcased and fostered the technical and intellectual capabilities of the MGB employees in terms of research and development. Three (3) Special Papers, fifteen (15) Technical Papers, seven (7) Policy Papers and eight (8) Posters have been presented by MGB personnel whose transformative research endeavors will contribute to new policies, innovations and best practices for the continued mineral resources and geosciences advancement of the Bureau. The Board of Judges comprised Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa, Former Department of Environment and continue reading : MGB holds 2023 Annual Technical Forum

MGB ROXIII carries on with Coastal Hazards Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping in Libjo, Province of Dinagat Islands

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII carried on with the Coastal Hazards Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping on August 22 to September 2, 2023 in the Municipality of Libjo, Province of Dinagat Islands. A team of four Geologists and one Aide conducted the fieldwork focused on assessing the vulnerability of coastal areas on natural hazards and utilizing analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from various factors and/or parameters related to coastal vulnerability. The parameters of the assessment include shoreline change, landform characteristics, coastal slope, mean tidal range, presence of natural barriers, presence of hard engineering defenses and coastline alignment relative to storm wave direction. The said assessment is the seventh target for CY 2023. The objective of the assessment necessitates the classification of each area, and the assignment of a ranking from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high) to every evaluated parameter. Weighted analysis shall be conducted continue reading : MGB ROXIII carries on with Coastal Hazards Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping in Libjo, Province of Dinagat Islands

MGBEA Region XIII Chapter conducts Oath Taking Ceremony of New Officers and Special General Assembly

The new Mines and Geosciences Bureau Employees Association (MGBEA) Region XIII Chapter Officers took their oath of office before Regional Director Larry M. Heradez on September 5, 2023 at the MGB Regional Office No. XIII Training Center in Surigao City.     Below is the roster of MGBEA Region XIII Chapter Officers for CY 2023-2025: President: CHRISTIE A. APALE          Vice President: MARIE PENNELOPE E. FANG      Secretary: MARY LUZ E. POMOYAssistant Secretary: LILIBETH P. GIMOTO                  Treasurer: JUSRIT ELVIE B. SEGUISAssistant Treasurer: LIZA PACETE-COROTANAuditor: KENNETH KARR E. CAGAS         Assistant Auditor: MELVIN A. MANTILLAPRO: ENJIE G. PACILLOS-CAÑETE                        Assistant PRO: ERNESTO C. CALZAR        After the oath taking ceremony, the Special General Assembly ensued. RD Heradez delivered a message for the MGBEA Region XIII Chapter Officers and Members.  On a special note, the assembly was graced by Dr. Maybellyn A. Zepeda, MGBEA National President, who delivered some insightful remarks via virtual platform.  The presentation of the salient points of the Collective continue reading : MGBEA Region XIII Chapter conducts Oath Taking Ceremony of New Officers and Special General Assembly

MGB ROXIII participates in small-scale mining summit and assembly

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII participated in the National Summit for the Presentation of the Recent Proposed Amendments of Republic Act (RA) No. 7076 or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 and the 4th Assembly of the National Coalition of Small-Scale Miners in the Philippines Incorporated (NCSSMPI), which was held on August 2 to 5, 2023 at The Farm, Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato. The said event was spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns, Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa, in partnership with the NCSSMPI headed by its President, Mr. Gil N. Indino.  Thirty-three small-scale mining associations and cooperatives have participated in the National Summit, together with the representatives from the MGB Central Office and Regional Offices. On the first day of the summit, the organizing committee, together with some selected delegates, paid a continue reading : MGB ROXIII participates in small-scale mining summit and assembly

Caraga Resilient Mining Week: Elevating Responsible Mining and Stronger Collaboration towards Community Resilience

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII, in cooperation with the Chamber of Mines of Caraga Region Incorporated, Philippine Society of Mining Engineers Caraga Chapter, Community Relations, Education and Development Officers Organization-Caraga, Inc. and mining councils, held the first-ever Caraga Resilient Mining Week (CRMW) on July 24 to 28, 2023 at the Philippine Gateway Hotel in Surigao City.  With the theme Responsible Mining – Pathway to Community Resilience, the game changing event aimed to bring together stakeholders from Caraga Region to engage across a weeklong series of activities that are designed to foster stronger collaboration, ignite relevant conversations and chart a new path towards climate change and disaster resilience for the industry, the community, and the country as a whole – all anchored on the principles of responsible mining. The Caraga Resilient Mining Week comprised the following four key activities: Professional Development Sessions – lectures and talks that continue reading : Caraga Resilient Mining Week: Elevating Responsible Mining and Stronger Collaboration towards Community Resilience