In the pursuit of continuous technical capacity building of geologists from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Central and Regional Offices, through the Geological Laboratory Services Section of the Lands Geological Survey Division, held the “Training on Basic Mineragraphic Techniques” last October 18-22, 2021 via Microsoft Teams virtual platform.

Thirty-six (36) participants from Central Office and two (2) participants per Regional Office attended and participated in this 5-day virtual training. The training aimed to review and enhance the participants’ knowledge on the fundamental principles of mineragraphy (ore microscopy) by focusing on the use of reflected light microscopy in ore mineral and texture identification and interpretation. The training consisted of daily lectures and exercises given by the resource speaker, Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio, Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Geological Sciences

This training promotes the enhancement of mineragraphic techniques provided by MGB, through the attainment of additional knowledge and skills regarding 1) identification of ore minerals and textures in virtual hand specimen; 2) naming of ore minerals under the microscope; 3) recognition and interpretation of ore textures under the microscope; 4) effective writing of ore microscopy reports. It also includes a virtual live demonstration on recognizing and characterizing common ore minerals in the Philippines using reflected light microscopy. In the last two (2) days of the training, outputs were presented and discussed to all of the participants. Each representative from MGB Offices was given an opportunity to report their outputs and answer questions from the resource speaker and other participants.

By: Lands Geological Survey Division – Geological Laboratory Services Section

Figures 1a & 1b. Lecture series conducted by Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio via Microsoft Teams virtual platform.

Figure 2a & 2b. Virtual live demo of identification of ore minerals and textures with the use of petrographic microscope

with image capture and processing software.

Figure 3a & 3b. Output discussion and presentation by participants from MGB Central and Regional Offices.

Figure 4a & 4b. Post-training photo op session of the participants with the resource speaker,

LGSD-Chief, GLSS-OIC, and facilitators.