Mining scholars to help develop industry

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines – Thirteen new engineering graduates will help develop the mining industry in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, particularly in their home region of Mindanao.

“We want mining operations to be properly planned and managed, with environmental protection and safety in mind,” said Jamil Matanog, from Cotabato City. “Because we are from Mindanao ourselves, our concern for the industry there is doubled.”

The 13 scholars completed their mining engineering degrees with support provided through US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Investments in Vocational, Elementary, Secondary and Tertiary Studies (INVESTS) project implemented by Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program under the oversight of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

The graduates, all from conflict-affected areas of Mindanao, obtained their degrees from Palawan State University and the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT). 

One scholar is finishing his course at CIT, and another at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

Among the graduates are two women, Musarapa Insiang and Haiza Pigkaulan. Once they pass the licensure examination, they will be the first Mindanao Muslim women mining engineers in the Philippines.

“Musarapa and I realized that this would be an achievement, and it drove us to work harder in our studies,” said Pigkaulan, daughter of a carpenter and an overseas contract worker.

“Other women, whether from Mindanao or elsewhere, should consider becoming mining engineers, so that we have a role in making sure our mineral resources are used well,” said Insiang.

Mining engineering is a relatively unknown academic field in the Philippines, and the rapidly expanding industry requires at least a hundred new mining engineers per year.

Last year, 32 graduates passed the national board examination for mining engineers. In 2010, only 22 passed.

Many of the INVESTS scholars have been approached by mining companies for possible future employment, though they still have to review for the board.

“The companies contact me directly asking for fresh graduates, due to demand,” said engineer Osita Catipay, chair of the CIT mining engineering department.

Abdulasiz Dimasar, who graduated in 2011 from CIT and is now working at a copper mining company, said he began his new job just two weeks after graduation.

“If you can find work in the Philippines that will allow you to help your family then you don’t have to work abroad,” said Dimasar, who is from Marawi City and has 12 siblings.

Like the others, he will soon begin reviewing for the board exam in August. He also plans to pursue a master’s degree in environmental management.

“Mining engineers need such skills so that they can foresee the impact of mining projects and design preventive measures and solutions for any negative effects,” he said.

Pigkaulan said that the new generation of engineers, trained in environmental science and mining law in addition to mineralogy and mine operations, is more focused on the impact on host communities and the environment.

“One can conduct mining in a socially and environmentally responsible way,” she said.

“There are studies showing success in rehabilitating mining sites and restoring ecological balance,” Matanog pointed out.

A number of the scholars did primary research on the perceptions of host communities in mining areas.

“As I gathered field data, I saw that communities were open to mining because of the livelihood it provides and other economic benefits. They saw stores and other new businesses being established,” said Matanog, who considers the research project with communities the highlight of his college years, and who hopes to work in project planning and design.

“By incorporating environmental protection and social responsibility right from the start, you lessen the need to backtrack and come up with mitigation measures later on,” he added.

“I would like to specialize in ore grading and processing because this is where you determine the best possible use of the mineral resource,” said Insiang.

Catipay says that the expansion of the mining industry and the demand for skilled personnel has led to more enrollees in her department at CIT. “Previously, we would have at least ten graduates a year. In 2013, we may have more than 20 graduates,” she said.