Mining conference slated next week

MANILA, Philippines - Managing governance issues and focusing on transparency, environmental concerns and social responsibility will highlight this year’s Mining Philippines 2012 Conference and Exhibition. The highlights underscore the industry’s priorities while managing its future in an environment that promises great opportunities for sustained development amidst a challenging global and national landscape.

With the theme “Shaping the Future of Philippine Mining” coinciding with the government’s program of instituting mining policy reforms, this year’s conference is expected to draw higher participation levels over previous years from the industry’s various stakeholders.

The conference, touted to be the largest mining event in the country, will be held on Sept. 18-20, 2012 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel.

Keynote speaker is Vice President Jejomar Binay while Exectuive Secretary Paquito Ochoa will deliver the message of President Aquino. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte will grace the opening of the exhibition with a message to the industry.

Among the topics for the round table discussions (RTD) during the afternoon of Sept. 17 are the mining industry corporate social responsibility (CSR) Scorecard and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI). As part of the mining sector’s engagement with indigenous peoples and rural communities, an RTD will also be devoted to the Free and Prior Informed Consent process.

A plenary session will focus on financing of mining projects, on the market outlook on gold, and on copper-gold projects in Benguet and other regions.

PBSP president Rapa Lopa will talk about “Mining CSR — a Catalyst in Provincial Development”, while BMP Environment & Community Care, Inc. president Rolando Cuano will discuss “Water Stewardship in Mining Areas”.

On governance issues, IMF country representative Shanaka Jayanath Peiris will provide insights on “Mining Taxation Policy Reforms”. Lawyer Emmanuel Lombos, on the other hand, will discuss “Fundamental Issues Affecting Environmental Rules of Procedure”. Meanwhile, United Nations Development Program country director Renaud Meyer will share his thoughts on UNDP’s “Transparency and Poverty Reduction Initiative” in the global and regional context.

Other governance-related presentations will be given by Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. president F. Kennedy Coronel (“Managing Governance Issues Affecting Mining in the Philippines”), and by UNDP/PPEI/DILG Consultant Donna Gasgonia (“Transparency in Mining Taxation: Advocating EITI”).

Philex Mining Corp. chairman Manuel Pangilinan will have an interview session on “Business Leadership” with respected journalist Maria Ressa.

Presentations specific to mining projects will be given by, among others, Sagittarius Mines Inc. general manager Mark Williams on the topic “Tampakan Copper-Gold Project: Sustaining the Future of South Cotabato”; by TVI Pacific, Inc. chairman Cliff James on “TVI’s Model for Sustainable Development: Mining and Agriculture Can Co-exist”; and by Atlas Consolidated Mining and Dev’t Corp. VP Adrian Ramos on “Redevelopment Experiment: A Success Story”.

The plenary session on “Global Mining Policy Directions: Understanding Opporunities”, will see Canadian ambassador to the Philippines discuss “Adding Value to Mineral Resources: Canada’s Experience.