The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) welcomed the delegates of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Senior Officials Meeting on Minerals (ASOMM) Working Group and other related meetings.
MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano led the welcome ceremony during the event’s opening activities on December 4, 2018.
He said that the meetings are crucial since Southeast Asia is home to vast mineral resources, and that the policies and direction that it will adopt will have a significant impact on the world minerals market.
Moncano also said that the event is an excellent opportunity for camaraderie among the ASEAN Member States.
“Aside from providing the platform for reporting status updates and developments on the different initiatives and undertakings on ASEAN Member States’ cooperation in minerals, this annual event is an excellent opportunity for camaraderie and building goodwill among Member States,” Director Moncano said.
Meanwhile, MGB Assistant Director Danilo U. Uykieng welcomed the delegates to the 2nd Board of Judges (BOJ) Meeting for the 3rd ASEAN Mineral Awards.
In his message, he said that the awards validate that the best practices in mining and processing are possible and that ASEAN member countries make sure that these are done in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.
“I can honestly say that these awards are a validation that best practices in mining and processing are possible; and that ASEAN countries are committed in making sure that mining and processing are done in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner,” Uykieng said.
“The whole of ASEAN is awaiting the result of this meeting as eagerly as it is anticipating who will receive the distinctions in the different categories this year,” Uykieng said added.
It can be recalled that the Philippines bagged two titles during the 2017 ASEAN Mineral Awards. Rio Tuba Nicke Mining Corporation took home the “Best in Practice in Minerals Mining” award, and OceanaGold Philipppines won the “Best Practice in Minerals Processing” award.
The three-day event covered five meetings: 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Senior Officials Meeting on Minerals (ASOMM) Working Group Meetings; 2nd Meeting of the Board of Judges (BOJ) for the 3rd ASEAN Mineral Awards (AMA); 3rd AMCAP MTR Meeting; 11th ASOMM+3 meeting; and the 6th Private Sector Forum on Cooperation in Minerals in ASEAN.
The meetings were held on December 4 -6, 2018 at the Solaire Resort in Manila, and were attended by representatives of the ASEAN Member States, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, and other distinguished guests.
By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publications Division