MANILA, Philippines — Pangilinan-led Philex Mining Corp is exploring all possible logistical options to fast-track the commercial operations of its Silangan gold and copper mine ahead of the fourth quarter 2025 target.
Philex president and CEO Eulalio Austin Jr. said the remaining challenge that the Silangan mine project is facing is the delivery of the critical equipment needed for its operations.
Austin noted that there have been persisting challenges in the global logistics and manufacturing industries, causing the lead time for the equipment to take “so long.”
Nonetheless, Austin said they are still keen on producing the first metal from the Silangan mine by the last quarter of 2025.
Last month, Philex postponed the commercial operations of Silangan to the fourth quarter of 2025 from its earlier timeline of first quarter of 2025 due to delays in the conclusion of loan facility and delivery of processing plant equipment.
The growing shift to green energy boosted the demand for mining equipment, resulting in longer manufacturing time. Furthermore, shipping from the West is taking some time due to various global logistical issues, Austin added.
Nonetheless, Philex is already exploring alternative suppliers that could deliver the Silangan mine’s needed equipment faster.
“We are looking at advancing (the fourth quarter target) because we are looking into options on how we could fast-track the deliveries,” he said.
“There might be some suppliers, other suppliers aside from those identified suppliers, that could deliver it earlier,” he added.
“And there is the logistics issue that shipments from the West would take some time to come,” Austin told reporters yesterday.
In terms of the developments at Silangan, Austin said the project is progressing well within its scheduled timeline.
Austin said the construction of the foundations of the tailing dam is currently undergoing while leveling of the ground has started for the processing plant.
Furthermore, the drilling for the underground mine operations is now just 200 meters away from the ore body.
“We expect to reach the ore body by the end of June. That is why we could do underground development works on the ore body by July this year,” Austin added.