3. Mineral Resources Development Projects

a. Operating Mines

As of December 31, 2003, the number of operating mines consists of:

1 large-scale gold mine (Victoria Project of Lepanto);
1 large-scale copper mine (Padcal Project of Philex);
4 medium-scale nickel mines

Palawan Project of Rio Tuba Mining Corp.  
Cagdianao Project of Cagdianao Mining Corp.  
South Dinagat Project of Hinatuan Mining Corp.

and Tganito Project Of Taganito Mining Corp.

3 medium-scale chromite mines

Masinloc Project of Benguet Corp
Omasdang Project of Crau Minerals  
and   Homonhon Project of Heritage Resources Mining Corp.

5 medium-scale gold mines

Canatuan Project of TVI Resources Philippines, Inc.
Acupan SSM Operations of Benguet Corp.  
Diwalwal Direct State Development Project of the Natural Resources Development Corp  
Banahaw Gold Project of Philsaga Mining Corp.
Paracale Gold Project of Johnson Gold Mining Corp.

16 cement plants and quarries

140 limestone quarries (agriculture and industrial uses)

18 rock aggregate quarries and crushing plants

216 industrial sand and gravel quarries and crushing plants

9 marble plants and quarries

334 large to medium scale quarries of various non-metallic minerals; and

More than 1,700 small quarries and commercial/special sand and gravel mining operations covered by permits issued by local government.

The geographical distribution of the major operating metallic mines and cement plants and quarries are shown in Figures 26 and 27, respectively.

The existing number of metal mines is small compared to the 58 metal mines that operated in the 80s (Figure 8) when the industry accounted for over 20% of Philippine exports. However, the trend for nonmetallic mines shows an abrupt change in 1993 (Figure 9), after the enactment of the Local Government Code which effectively transferred the function of the national government in the issuance of quarry and small-scale mining permits to the local government units (LGU). This drop in number can be attributed principally to the confusion caused by the devolution of permitting function to LGUs. It is interpreted that a great number non-metallic producers either did not submit production reports due to confusion in authority or were probably not accounted for by the LGUs during that year. Understandably, the LGU, particularly the provincial governments were not yet prepared organizationally and systems and procedures have not been put in place immediately to monitor mining operations, and also collect and process production reports.

Click here to download Operating Mines in the Philippines as Google Earth Placemarks.