
18 minute read
HMC DONATES SCHOOL MARKERS TO TWO SCHOOLS
HMC turns over stainless-steel school markers to adopted schools
Hinatuan Mining Corporation, a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), has donated stainlesssteel school marker to Talavera National High School (TNHS) and Talavera Elementary School (TES) during the ceremonial turnover of the items to the two adopted schools.
TNHS and TES are two of the seven adopted schools of HMC in its host communities.
In attendance during the ceremonial turn-over were TNHS faculty and parents headed by Renato L. Suacillo, Head Teacher II; Talavera Elementary School faculty and parents led by Judith P. Monadi, Principal I; and Hon. Reden G. Plaza, Talavera Barangay Captain.
Antonio B. Resuera, Jr., ComRel Manager, represented NAC-HMC during the program.
“We are indeed very grateful to NAC-HMC for continuously and untiringly supporting our school endeavors. Thank you for constantly hearing our voices and concerns. It is with great honor and happiness to accept this project. Rest assured that we at TNHS would take of this beautiful gift given to us which serves as a symbol of the good connection and relationship between responsible mining and the education sector,” said Mr. Suacillo.
“Thank you so much for adopting TNHS. The untiring support and effort of HMC to all our school endeavors have greatly contributed to our school’s success,” he added.
Principal Monadi was also as grateful. “My heart is overwhelmed with so much joy seeing all of our stakeholders. With a grateful heart, we at TES, heartily accept this oneof-a-kind donation. We are happy every time we see an employee from HMC since they are our number one partners in terms of educational endeavors, followed by our barangay local government.”
“This project was chosen among all others because we want to put a spark on our hearts. When we pass by this project, we readily notice it and it reminds us that we have partners and we’re not alone in this endeavor, we always have the support of HMC. This project represents how strong our partnership is,” she added.
Hon. Plaza is thankful not only to the support provided by HMC to the education sector but to his barangay as well. “I am thankful for the support provided by HMC to TES and TNHS, I am also grateful to the assistance HMC has provided us during the pandemic and relief efforts after Typhoon Odette.”
“I also commend the teachers of elementary and high school for providing quality education. Your efforts are not wasted in helping mold and educate our community’s children. I am very much thankful to you. I have two kids who are academic scholars in Surigao universities with your help. Both of them are graduates of both TES and TNHS. Their scholarship saves us money; their tuition is discounted, helping me provide for both of them at the same time. I’m very proud of them. May God bless and help you as you have helped my family. The barangay local government of Talavera is always willing to help,” added Hon. Plaza.
Marichin R. Albino, General Parents Teachers Association (GPTA) president of TES, also expressed her gratitude to HMC, the local barangay and the teachers of TNHS and TES.
“I am very much thankful to HMC for their unwavering
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support to our school and our community. As a parent and officer of the GPTA in TES, thank you very much. Our school is able to reach greater heights with your support. Thank you also to our barangay local government for helping our school and for always being supportive. Thank you also to the teachers for their efforts in teaching the students and helping them become better. Thank you very much.”
Sally Helme, GPTA Vice President of TNHS, also had the same sentiment. “Thank you HMC for all the support you have provided to our school, I hope that you will never waver in your support.”
TNHS and TES are the first schools in the entire District of Tagana-an to have stainless-steel school markers.

DOST EXEC: METALS, ENGINEERING INDUSTRY CRUCIAL IN PH RECOVERY
The metals and engineering industry has contributed much to the country’s recovery efforts, an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Wednesday.
“We can never disregard the contribution of the industry. We owe it to the metals industry to celebrate milestones and special accomplishments for without you, upstream industries will weaken,” said DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara during the 1st National Metals and Engineering Conference held in Bicutan, Taguig City.
The metals industry has played a huge role in helping the country rise from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, she pointed out.
Guevara cited as an example the mass production and distribution of face shields for front-liners at the onset of the pandemic. The Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) did this through the plastic injection molding technology.
“The face shields, which were too costly because there was not enough supply at that time, were distributed all over the country through this MIRDC initiative,” she said.
Another contribution was the use of the Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT) to ferry front-liners to and from work in Cauayan, Isabela, for free.
HERT is an alternative mass transportation designed and developed by the MIRDC. It was already turned over to the city of Cauayan. Currently, present, Cauayan and Ilagan cities have plans to fabricate new HERT units to be used as mass transportation alternatives. (Read: Ilagan City to fabricate hybrid road train)
Last year, the DOST launched two facilities at the MIRDC: the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) and the Advanced Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation Laboratory (AMERIAL). Both facilities feature industry 4.0 technologies.
“Through the AMCen and the AMERIAL, we are already able to serve MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and the academe. We started to encourage the establishment of partnerships that advocate R&D (research and development),” Guevara said.
The agency, according to her, has been providing an enabling environment to let researchers access modern technologies and unleash their innovative ideas.
Guevara called on researchers to o continuously engage in R&D, scientific paper writing, and research presentations.
“We can be like highly developed countries through R&D,” she said as she emphasized that R&D is a powerful driver behind a successful metals industry.
A smarter, more efficient future with In-Pit Sizing and Conveying
Mining is an industry that requires investing wisely and looking at all available options when considering the setup of a new plant or attempting to reduce costs in a brownfield operation.
Many considerations focus around the lifecycle of a mine; how much product is in the ground? How long will it take to extract? If it’s a short lifespan, is it a worthwhile investment?
These issues all arise before equipment selection comes into play, but when answering these questions, it is vital to get right mine plan from the outset. Selecting the best mining methods and equipment in the first instance ensures a more efficient and profitable long-term future for the site.
Traditionally a large proportion of mines used long haul truck and shovel systems, feeding fixed crushing plants. But in many cases, more cost-effective options are available. MMD’s Semi-Mobile Sizer Stations have the same functionality as fixed plants, but with additional advantages and lower setup costs.

Semi-Mobile Sizer Stations for IPSC
Semi-Mobile Sizer Stations leverage the flexibility of truck haulage together with the efficiency of conveyor haulage. This provides an ideal solution for many mining scenarios where flexibility is vital, such as selective mining (blending), heavily faulted seams or irregular shaped ore bodies.
Constructed in easy-to-assemble modules, Semi-Mobile Stations are relocated as the mine develops to minimise truck haulage distances, and take advantage of conveyor efficiencies. Semi-Mobile units can be relocated large distances in a matter of days using the MMD Atlas Transporter. By reducing truck haulage distances, operating costs decrease whilst also reducing carbon emissions.
There are also some less obvious environmental advantages to Semi-Mobile Sizers Stations. Due to the Sizer’s unique features of compact dimensions and high throughput rates, a Semi-Mobile Sizer Station is significantly smaller than fixed systems, leaving less of a carbon footprint. This applies to the amount of material used as well as the time and energy used during construction. Peripheral structures such as a concrete bunker, or RE wall and heavy duty foundations required for fixed plants are commonly not required for Semi-Mobile Sizer Stations. Semi-Mobile Stations are supported on simple pontoon-type bases.
The likes of a concrete wall and foundations comes with associated labour, materials, plant and fuel costs in both the initial construction and eventual deconstruction once the mine closes. State laws often require mine owners to return the site to its original condition (or as close as possible). These oftenoverlooked costs can run into tens of millions of dollars.
Therefore, using Semi-Mobile or mobile equipment offers a huge benefit over the life-of-mine, as there is no requirement for walls, roads and services to be removed and earth landscaped. This extra work not only costs more money, but also places an extra, unnecessary burden on the environment.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen increased interest in In-Pit Sizing and Conveying (IPSC) systems as mines seek ways to streamline
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operations and achieve emissions targets. Our history of delivering Semi-Mobile Sizing Stations into Southeast Asia dates back to 1993. And more recently, in 2015 we were commissioned to provide nine primary Sizing Stations to Hongsa Power based in Laos. 2018 saw the completion of three stations at EGAT’s Mae Moh mine in Northern Thailand, alongside a 400 tonne Atlas Transporter to facilitate quick and efficient relocation of the Sizer modules. With all three Semi-Mobiles operating to the satisfaction of the customer, this project is just part of the continuation of MMD’s involvement with the Mae Moh mine.
We recently upgraded the mine’s Sizer Stations, previously installed in 2001, as well as providing a further Semi-Mobile Station and Transporter for the next phase of the mine’s expansion. This brings the total to eight MMD Semi-Mobiles currently operating at Mae Moh mine. In both cases, high throughputs and short relocation times make these Sizing Stations a key part of the mine’s future. MMD’s solution has lowered the operating cost of moving overburden.
With MMD Sizers becoming more and more proficient in hard rock applications, there is an everincreasing number of materials in which Sizers have proven to be successful. To date, we process over 80 different minerals including the likes of copper, cobalt, nickel, iron ore and gold. But with ore grades declining, it is becoming increasingly important to maximise ore recovery in the most costeffective manner possible.
What’s next for IPSC
Efficient transportation and processing of ore plays a pivotal role in a mine’s economic and environmental strategy. Bulk Ore Sorting is the process of separating valuable ore from waste, and is an area in which gains can be made.
By separating ore from waste earlier in the mining process, only valuable material is hauled from pit to plant. Besides the obvious savings in haulage costs, efficiencies are made through less energy and water usage in downstream equipment.
Ore sensor technology is already widely used in processing plants, however, MMD’s Bulk Ore Sorting systems have revolutionised the separating of ore from waste by enabling the deployment of sensor-based sorting in the pit and close to the mine face.
By utilising the latest material scanners, with near real-time ore sampling, mines can expect an ore grade uplift of up to 20%. This results in a potential for lower grade cut-offs and increased ore recovery.
Utilising an MMD Sizer over other forms of crusher delivers some clear advantages when it comes to ore sorting. Sizers can process any combination of wet, dry, sticky or hard material through the same machine, which is ideal for processing raw material directly from the mine face. The product size is controlled in all three dimensions, whilst keeping fines to a minimum. By creating a cubical product with very little dust, the reliability and accuracy of the ore sensing equipment improves dramatically. Furthermore, by being compact and lightweight, Sizers require very little supporting structure and offer unrivalled installation flexibility – making them the ideal choice for Semi-Mobile equipment dispatched close to the mine face.
MMD have three Bulk Ore Sorting systems currently in operation, working with a variety of materials from soft and sticky nickel ore, to copper ore, and hard platinum ore. MMD’s ore sorting technology is scalable can be applied using a wide range of IPSC systems. Whether it be a Fully Mobile or Semi-Mobile installation, our systems are tailored to match the throughput, material, sensors, grades and relocation methods required by each individual application.
Go to www.mmdsizers.com for more information.







From loading to hauling, LiuGong has the machines and the know-how you want on your mining site. Our solutions take into account payload, distance, and other data to maximize efficiency and reduce operating costs for your site.
Tested in the most extreme of environments and weather, our complete line of machines is guaranteed to maintain high productivity wherever you are.
We know time is money. Our dedicated team for maintenance and support is ready to work with you to minimize maintenance and stoppage time, maximizing the return for your investments.
With TNT limitation used in Mining Job site, also the expensive cost. LiuGong brings the new monster Ballasted boom with a ripper Excavator:
CLG952EHD - Operating Weight 60.1T CLG970E - Operating Weight 85.3T CLG990F - Operating Weight 105T
Installed with a Cummins engine and Kawasaki Hydraulic System, the machine is not only stable but offers a large breaking force. Together with help of heavy operation weight, easily break the mining material whose hardness is under 45Mpa.
Average productivity with our machines is 4-6 times higher compared with the standard breaker. A simple and stable structure brings a lower usage cost of around 5-15 Peso/m3 depending on the physical material hardness, construction plan, and operator skills.
For inquiries, please contact:
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MPSA granted to Semirara, door opens for more projects after issuance of E.O. No. 130
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) announced on 10 March 2022 that the DENR has granted MPSA 3522022-VI to DMCI Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC). The MPSA is for SMPC’s Hamalian Limestone Project, which is located at Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique. The project covers an area of 3,807.0571-hectares.
This MPSA now gives SMPC the exclusive rights to begin mining operations within the contract for a period of 25 years. This is renewable for the like period.
The MPSA granted to SMPC is the first issued by the Philippine government since 2012. When E.O. No. 130 was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on 14 April 2021, this amended the provision of Section 4 of E.O. No. 79 which was issued by former President Benigno S. Aquino III in 2012. Aquino’s E.O. No. 79 prohibits the grant of mineral agreements “until a new legislation rationalizing existing revenue sharing schemes and mechanisms shall have taken effect.”
Therefore, the implementation of E.O. No. 130 effectively ends the nine-year moratorium on new mining projects and allows the government to enter into new mineral agreements, still subject to compliance with the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. [2]
A Mineral Production and Sharing Agreement (MPSA) is one of the different types of Tenurial Permits/Agreements. This agreement is executed by the DENR Secretary and the contractor. The MPSA holder is then granted by the Philippine government the exclusive right to conduct mining operations within a contract area. The share of the Philippine government is in the form of excise tax equivalent to a percentage of the gross output.
MGB director Wilfredo Moncano said the lifting of the ban on new mining projects gives the mining industry the opportunity to boost its economic contribution for the country and to help in the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to MGB, the gross value added in mining contributions reached to P120.4 billion in 2021. This is higher than P102.3 billion from 2020. [2]
From MGB’s social media post on economic contribution of mining, the office stated: “The Philippine government commits that a proposed mining project will only be allowed if technically feasible, environmentally compliant, socially acceptable, and financially viable. [If] any of these imperatives are absent, [then] it is not time to mine.”
The infographic posted by MGB shows the significant economic contributions of mining in the Philippine economy for the past two years.

SOCOT GUV VETOES OPEN-PIT MINING ORDINANCE
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. has vetoed the amended Environment Code Ordinance that sought to lift the open-pit mining ban in the province.
In a press conference, Tamayo said he was quite surprised that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) “quickly” approved the amendments to the ordinance during a session on May 16. He was out of the country when a majority of the SP members passed the amended ordinance.
“I don’t know the reason behind the quick approval; I am returning the ordinance to the SP,” Tamayo said.
Since the council is in recess, the governor said the matter would be discussed by the next set of provincial board members.
In his veto, Tamayo invoked Section 55 of the Local Government Code (Republic Act 7160), describing the amendment as “prejudicial to the public welfare and inimical to the overall interest of South Cotabateños.”
Graymont Hydrated Lime and Quicklime - Essential for mining
Graymont is a global leader in lime and limestone solutions. Professionally managed and family-owned, the company has been in operation for over 70 years. Graymont aims to be the preferred supplier, employer, and partner of choice wherever we operate.
Our products are essential in addressing today’s most pressing environmental issues while supporting vital industrial processes and agricultural needs. Uses for our products include the purification of air and water, and the production of items essential to a modern economy such as steel, paper, and minerals.
Graymont serves markets throughout Asia-Pacific including the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand. Graymont is headquartered in Vancouver Canada and is also the strategic partner of Mexican-based Grupo Calidra, the largest lime producer in Latin America.

Product Quality
Graymont manufactures high-calcium quicklime and hydrated lime made from limestone deposits containing high available lime and low impurities. Graymont lime is suitable for most common mining applications including pH adjustment, coagulation and thickening, flotation and hydrometallurgical processes, gas desulphurization, pyrometallurgical processes, tailings discharge management, slurry paste manufacture, and soil drying.
Expertise in Mining
Graymont has expertise in working with mining customers to solve problems and develop solutions. Our trained and experienced staff have technical skills in addressing challenges raised by customers. They are available to work with customers to help determine the proper products to best meet specific needs. Upon request, Graymont can assist customers to inspect materialhandling facilities to help customers to operate efficiently and economically.
Service and Attention to Detail
Our customers are at the heart of what we do. Graymont has a dedicated sales and service team who can assist customers with service and supply. Our attention to detail is what sets us apart from other suppliers and we pride ourselves on being the supply partner of choice for our customers. Need a reliable Hydrated Lime and Quicklime supplier? For further information see our advertisement or contact our Manila office at +63 2 7587 1250, toll-free number 1800818881, or send us a message at customersupportSEA@graymont.com.
RITCHIE BROS’ IRON PLANET JAPAN NATIONAL AUCTION
Connecting buyers and sellers of used construction and industrial assets, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is the leading global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks, and other assets in numerous industries including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, mining, and forestry.
For Filipinos, “Japan Used” is a brand name. Thousands of units of quality used equipment are imported every year into the Philippines and are used by Philippine contractors, miners, transport companies, etc. to efficiently run their operations.
With more than 25 years of experience conducting auctions in Japan, Ritchie Bros is the professional source for quality used equipment in Japan. Ritchie Bros utilizes its online-only auction platform, www. ironplanet.¬¬com, to allow the sale of equipment from all over Japan to be sold at one time. Ritchie Bros conducts four Iron Planet Japan National Online Auctions a year.
By using Ritchie Bros’ Iron Planet online auction platform, Pinoy buyers can buy directly from the source, thus, saving costs. Additionally, Pinoy buyers can utilize Ritchie Bros’ Iron Planet inspection reports of each machine, prior to bidding.
These are industry-leading reports that provide potential buyers with extensive detailed information, along with dozens of photos. We also can recommend logistics companies who can assist you with the loadout and delivery of the machines to the Philippines. Ritchie Bros makes everything easy, giving you the confidence to bid and purchase.
For more information about how to participate in either a Ritchie Bros Live Unreserved Auction (www. rbauction.com) or a Ritchie Bros Online Only Auction (www.ironplanet.com), feel free to reach out to Ritchie Bros’ Philippine representative, Chris Edwards, who is based in Manila, Philippines at cedwards@ ritchiebros.com or +63 917 149 8545
