As part of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) main thrusts to ensure the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources through mineral resources and geosciences development and to continually enhance the technical capabilities of its personnel on mineral governance, the Lands Geological Survey Division (LGSD) of the MGB hosted a back-to-back training on “Advanced Exploration and Mineral Alteration Mapping and Mineral Assessment of Sand and Gravel (SAG) and Dredgefill Resources” last March 1 to 10, 2023, at the Dawal Beach Resort, Candelaria, Zambales.
The ten-day training-workshop was carried out through a hybrid format (combined face-to-face and virtual platform) and was spearheaded by the Economic Geology Section (EGS) of the LGSD. It was participated by more than 200 geologists from the MGB Central and Regional offices.
The first leg of this undertaking consists of Capacity Building on Advanced Exploration and Mineral Alteration Mapping from March 1 to 5, 2023, and was facilitated by Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio, Associate Professor from the University of the Philippines–National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP–NIGS). The lecture series not only focused on the review of hydrothermal systems, exploration geochemistry, and ore mineralogy and hydrothermal alteration but also gauged the understanding of the participants through hands-on exercises. As a culminating activity, a field excursion was conducted in the tenement property of Shangfil Mining Corporation located in Sta. Cruz, Zambales on March 5. The MGB geologists visited the copper vein exposure and the laterite deposits in the mining area.
Another five-day hybrid workshop from March 6 to 10, 2023 on Mineral Assessment of Sand and Gravel (SAG) and Dredgefill Resources was subsequently conducted. This workshop aims to review and strengthen the methodologies and outputs of the mineral assessment for value-adding minerals conducted along major Philippine river systems. It was facilitated by several resource speakers from the Lands Geological Information Management Section (LGIMS) and EGS under LGSD, the Geosciences Division of MGB Regional Office No. V, and the UK Catchment Project under the University of Glasgow.
In summary, the back-to-back training-workshop has successfully harnessed the technical competence of the geologists of MGB Central and Regional offices and equipped them with invaluable knowledge and insights on advanced mineral exploration techniques. This series of capacity building on the various geosciences programs is just the first step towards ensuring the effective implementation and monitoring of outcome-based strategies anchored on the sustainable development of the country’s mineral resources.
By: The Lands Geological Survey Division
Photo 1 Participants from MGB CO and ROs during the Capacity Building on Advanced Exploration and Mineral Alteration Mapping and Workshop on Mineral Assessment of Sand and Gravel and Dredgefill resources held on March 1- 10, 2023
in Dawal Beach Resort, Candelaria, Zambales
Photo 2 MGB Geologists during the fieldwork on the tenement property of Shangfil Mining Corporation
located in Sta. Cruz, Zambales.