World's 5th biggest mining firm eyes RP

MANILA, Philippines - Harmony Gold Mining Limited, the fifth largest gold producer in the world with operations in South Africa, Australia and Papua New Guinea has expressed interest in investing in the Philippine mining sector.

Harmony expressed its interest in the Philipines to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Horacio C. Ramos on the sidelines of the recently concluded Asia Mining Congress in Singapore.

“There is a lot of interest in the Philippines despite all its problems,” Ramos said.

According to Ramos and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) director Edwin Domingo, Harmony is looking, among others, at Oceana Gold’s Didipio copper-gold project which is currently on maintenance operation only.

Oceana Gold has suspended mining operations at its Didipio copper-gold project and is merely maintaining the site.

Oceana Gold has been seeking interested investors in the project.

Aside from Harmony, Ramos and Domingo said, CGA Mining Ltd. had likewise expressed interest in Oceana Gold’s Didipio project as well as Benguet Corp.’s King-King mines among other investment prospects.

The Japan, Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. (JOGMEC), likewise, Ramos said, has also expressed interest in looking for copper-gold projects in Northern Luzon.

Ramos is actually offering JOGMEC several prospects in the CARAGA region as well as in Mindanao.

Unfortunately, Ramos said, JOGMEC is still wary of the security situation in the south.

MRL Gold Philippines, for its part, Ramos and Domingo said, assured that it is proceeding with its Agata nickel mine exploration and a sulfide ore plant.