The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and its Lands Geological Survey Division (LGSD) recently held a training on Integrated Laboratory-Approach for Hydrothermal Alteration Mapping from April 7-11, 2025, at the Red Hotel in Quezon City. The event aims to strengthen the participants' knowledge of geological exploration and laboratory techniques relevant to the detailed characterization of mineral deposits.
The training was attended by personnel from the MGB Central Office, Regional Offices VI and VII, and consultants from the University of the Philippines - National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS). This program was part of MGB’s research and development (R&D) project titled ORE: Optimizing Resource Exploration – Integrating Spectrometry and Lithogeochemical Tools for the Advanced Characterization of Critical Minerals in Magmatic Hydrothermal Deposits.
The primary focus of the training is to introduce techniques used in geological exploration, including lithogeochemistry and hyperspectral mapping, which will be employed in the project to delineate alteration zones. This training also discussed key concepts related to hydrothermal ore deposits and alteration mineralogy associated with porphyry copper systems and laboratory techniques, including petrographic analysis and mineralogical classification.
A key component of the program was to familiarize the participants with the equipment of MGB's Central Office. This ensured that the project personnel could effectively use the available tools for geological sample analyses and incorporate them into the methodologies in achieving the project objectives. Discussions on other potential target areas and further delineation of target sites capacitated participants in developing strategies for advanced mineral exploration.
The training was facilitated by Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio, consultant for the Phase I activities of the project; Carleen Joy T. Gatdula, focal person for Phase II; and Ma. Lourdes Stephanie V. Leido, OIC Chief of the Geological Laboratory Services Section, and Mr. Raymundo I. Villones, Jr., former Section Chief of the Economic Geology Section, have significantly provided valuable insights and guidance to help participants further develop their knowledge and skills in mineral exploration.
Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio, professor at the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences, lectured on hydrothermal deposits and alteration mapping, focusing on the project's target deposit types.
Carleen Joy T. Gatdula, Senior Science Research Specialist, discussed desktop methods for alteration mapping, highlighting the use of hyperspectral imaging in the project.
Participants from MGB’s Lands Geological Survey Division and MGB Regions VI and VII joined Dr. Gabo-Ratio and Ms. Gatdula for the training session.
Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio presented soil sampling methods for geological and geochemical surveys, alongside a discussion on lithogeochemistry for the project’s analysis phase.
Senior Geologist at MGB, led a lecture on the megascopic analysis of ore and gangue minerals, followed by a hands-on exercise with participants.
Mr. Raymundo Villones, former Section Chief of MGB’s Economic Geology Section, discussed the National Mineral Reservation Program (NMRP) Exploration Activities and geostatistics for anomaly detection in the project.
Ms. Leido continued her lecture on mineragraphy and petrography, showing mineral and rock photomicrographs likely encountered during project sample analysis.
Participants in the petrography and mineragraphy training, including MGB geologists from CO and Regions VI and VII, focused on ore and gangue minerals in altered and host rocks.
By: Lands Geological Survey Division