The collaborative undertaking between the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), thru the Project entitled “Technical and Economic Feasibility Study to Determine the Most Suitable Ironmaking Technology for the Value-Adding of Philippine Magnetite Resources for the Iron and Steel Industry,” culminated recently with the conduct of the Iron and Steel Technical Forum held on September 12, 2018 at MIRDC Compound, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City.
The project was funded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Board of Investments (BOI).
The forum highlighted the results of a pre-feasibility, technical and economic studies, on setting-up a Philippine ironmaking facility using the country’s indigenous mineral resources, particularly black sand and coal, to produce iron and steel.
Dr. Agustin M. Fudolig, MIRDC Deputy Executive Director and Project Leader, discussed the technical aspect of the project focusing on the result of the bench scale testing using magnetite sand from Leyte and Cagayan and coal from Semirara Island.
The bench scale tests were conducted in European laboratories located in Frankfurt, Germany and Leoben, Austria. Based on the study, the Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace (RKEF-BOF) is the only technology capable of using the Philippine magnetite sand as raw iron mineral source as compared to the other three options, namely; Blast Furnace-BOF, Corex-BOF, Midrex-Electric Arc Furnace.
Similarly, the economic aspect of the project was discussed by Engr. Juancho Pablo S. Calvez, MGB Metallurgical Technology Division Chief and project staff member. Engr. Calvez reported on the financial viability of each process technology considered based on the economic study by DASTUR International Inc.
More than 50 participants attended the forum representing various government agencies and institutions including the DTI, DOST-PCIEERD, MGB, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Economic and Development Authority, University of the Philippines Diliman, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, private organizations concerned, and some mining companies.
Previously, similar ironmaking and steel fora were held on May 18, 2018 and June 28, 2018 in Leyte and UP BGC Campus, respectively.
Copy of the technical and economic reports will be made available to the public upon submission of terminal report by the project proponent and subsequent approval by the funding agencies.
By: Metallurgical Technology Division