Taiwan firm seeks government nod on green mining method

MANILA, Philippines — A Taiwan-based company is seeking the government’s help in encouraging the mining sector to adopt a greener method of extracting minerals, particularly gold.

Philippines Xin Ye Industry, a subsidiary of Taiwan Xinye Precious Metal Technology Co. Ltd., is seeking endorsement from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the adoption of its eco-friendly, cyanide-free ore stripping technology for small-scale gold mining operations in the country.

Xin Ye president Michael Yao said the firm’s locally patented Green Power-860 solution, which uses cyanide-free, mercury-free, and non-toxic gold stripping method, could help small-scale miners abide by government policies on responsible mining practices.

“Basically, our technology allows artisanal and small-scale gold mining to extract gold using environment-friendly alternative to mercury,” Yao said.

“We are committed to the protection of our environment and natural resources by responsible mining,” he added.

GP-860 gold stripping technology aims to replace the traditional extraction process, which still involves the use of the banned chemical mercury that remains popular and widely used by small-scale miners.

Compared to traditional artisanal and small-scale gold mining extraction method, which usually takes two to eight days dissolution period, Xin Ye’s GP-860 can shorten the ore to gold process to six to eight hours with the rate of gold stripping at 98 percent and refined gold purity of 99.9 percent.

Xin Ye recently launched its first gold processing facility in Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte in partnership with Johnson Gold Mining Corp.

Steven Liao, Xin Ye executive vice president, said the $1-million plant could process 11.5 metric tons of concentrate per day with potential gold yield of 50 grams per MT.

“We are in talks with at least eight mining companies in Baguio and Bicol Region and we expect to close the deal for the acquisition of the technology early next year,” Liao said.

“We want to expand further south to Mindanao within the year with discussions with two other mining firms in Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga already being planned,” he said.

Xin Ye hopes to collaborate with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the promotion of their technology, particularly in Minahang Bayan areas.

Patented in the US, Japan and Taiwan, Xin Ye said the technology is safer, more environment-friendly, and is an efficient alternative to the usual gold leaching cyanide, aqua regia, and mercury.

Current practices being applied are still inefficient, thus, producing several waste by-products which are highly toxic and unsafe.

Founded in 2016, local unit Philippines Xin Ye Industry Ltd. Inc. aims to increase production capacity from the advanced and patented environmental protection technology to ensure environmentally-viable processing of gold ores.