9 PH Places with Gold Mining Companies

This article describes 9 places in the Philippines with gold mining company. Find out where these places are.

Introduction

The earth has been rich in mineral deposits and brimming natural resources for time immemorial beyond historical records, especially minerals such as gold.

Philippines is a country bordering an expanse of land and bordering a seacoast in abundance. The richness of gold and well-endowed natural resources in the country paves the way for the growth of a multitude of gold companies engaged in the mining industry all over the country.

Oil, gas, and gold are one of the rarest elements in the universe which are found in the country. Among its stretch of land and bordering seacoast are the geologic features of marine life and vast natural resources. It is one of the reasons why some neighboring countries have ceaseless interests in the country, especially its sensational territorial economic zone—the entire stretch of the West Philippine seas and beyond its maritime areas.

The Recto Reed bank is part of the huge Philippines exclusive economic zone whereby 100% of cargo vessels all over the world pass by. Unfortunately, to date 70% of Filipino fisherfolk have been losing income due to intensified harassment and foreign vessels from countries interested in the West Philippine Sea. Experts say this may lead to further collapse in the country’s fishing industry eventually if not given virtuous emergent solution, which has never been a concern at all in the country prior to recent foreign intrusion in the West Philippines Sea.

The yellow metallic element in the pure form of gold represents immense wealth and a king-sized power in this ephemeral world. The Philippines is recognized for its natural resources, gold mining and gold manufacturing. Hence, the functional development of gold companies in the mining industry.

A moderate gold mining activity is good business as long as you are conscious of the environment and in safeguarding it through the so-called responsible mining practices.

Top 10 Leading Countries in Gold Production

Mining companies do gold mining thru extraction of gold minerals. The gold production in the world annually is estimated at 2,500 tons. Mining is conducted in various places of the world such as Australia, China, Russia, US, Canada, Indonesia, Peru, Brazil, Ghana and Mexico. Currently, the estimated below ground gold reserves in the entire globe lie range from 31,000 to 50,000 tons of gold, according to the US Geological Survey.

The vital place amongst these Philippines localities helps in the economic growth of the Philippines for many decades. Gold companies help the localities by providing employment.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR, has distinctly detailed several ore reserves in the Philippines archipelago. The Philippines comprises a multifold of places with gold mining, however nine (9) will only be discussed here.

9 Philippines Places with Gold Mining Companies

1. Kalinga. The Kalinga area is known for its mining industries, including its own gold. They can be readily found in the mountains and the rivers of the town itself. A few of the miners use the traditional way of mining like digging to get the golds in the mountains and rivers. Gold company like the Bandoro Mining Inc., Batong Buhay Gold Mines, Inc., Japan Nippon Mining Company, Philex Mining Corporation, Natural Resources Mining Development Corporation, Kalinga Mining Corporation Private Limited. The Batong Buhay Copper Gold Project is located at Kalinga Apayao within the Cordillera Central range. With the locals strongly opposing the gold mining which poses occasional environmental destructions.
2. Negros Oriental. The place is famous for its “likas na yaman” natural resources, including its best diving tourist spots and mining of gold, most especially in the town of Sibulan. Many treasure hunters and miners go here. Gold companies like the Midan Corporation, Sipalay Mines, Maricalum Mining Corporation (MMC), Marinduque Mining and Industrial Corporation operate here. Due to mining pollution in 1982, all major rivers and water sources in these areas and neighboring areas became non-potable, forcing people to buy drinking water in lowland towns. With land and irrigation water contaminated by mine tailings—the farm production went down by almost half. Notably eventually some fishes die hence, understandably mining was stopped.
3. Mindoro. Mindoro is a big island in the Philippines and famous for its breathtaking beach resorts with fine sands and crystal-clear waters, gold deposits and minerals. It has been such a long time since mining of gold has started here. This can be found in the Mount Malasimbo and Mount Kalavite, in the towns of Naujan and Victoria in Mindoro. The town is famous for its gold and mineral resources and has many mining companies. However, mining was momentarily stopped as it affects indigenous lands in Mindoro.
4. Surigao Del Norte. This town is also known for its minerals and natural resources, especially gold, most especially in Caraga, Placer, Maninit, Tobud and Taganaan. The deposits of gold can be usually found in the cracks on the huge rocks and in the mountains. Gold mine projects by Philex Mining Corporation, Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc., Manila Mining Corporation (MMC), Siana Gold operated by Greenstone Resources Corporation (GRC) and Red 5 Limited a Perth Australia-based Gold Exploration company, Delta Earthmoving Inc. thrive here. However, a Surigao mining landslide killed miners in 2007. Another in the old Surigao tunnel killed some more in May 2012 and a collapsed mining pit in October 2020 claimed the lives of miners.
5. Agusan Del Sur. The place is known for its rich mountains and rivers. The vast gold and mineral deposits can be much attributed to its multitude of mountains and rivers. This is an economy booster in the place of Agusan, like in the towns of Rosario, Prosperidad, and San Francisco. The locals are using both the traditional way of mining, artisanal way and the artificial way of mining. Gold company like the Boston Minerals & Mining Corporation gold project is situated on the Philippines island of Mindanao. The project area is approximately 338 hectares in the Davao to Agusan to Surigao Forest Reserve. Also, the Sunlight Resources, another gold company, operate there. As well as the Diwalwal gold rush area. A gold mine tunnel collapsed in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur in 2012, destroying farmlands and affecting locals.
6. Batangas. Batangas has a history of mining gold. Can be found on a larger scale in the towns of Rosario, Lobo at San Luis. They are done by the locals and miners from the rivers and streams. Gold company like the Bluebird Merchant Ventures Ltd., Alpha Diggers Inc., MRL Gold Philippines Inc., British Avocet Mining PLC, Australian-Canadian firm MRL Gold- Egerton Gold Philippines mining projects was opposed by Kalikasan People’s Network for Environment (PNE), by the local church leaders and other environmental organizations as it will harm the existing marine conservation areas and affect the food security.
7. Benguet is very rich in gold. It has been a great contributor to its main economy that dates back during the Spanish era. The town of Itogon in Benguet is famously known as the gold capital of the country of the Philippines. Gold company like the Antamok-Acupan Gold Mine near Baguio City, Itogon Silver Mine near Baguio, Thanksgiving Silver Mine near Baguio, Kennon Gold Mine near Baguio, Black Mountain Copper Mine near Baguio, Copper Shield Mine near Baguio, TawiTawi Copper Prospect near Baguio. 20 million metric tons of sediments flowed into water channels from Philex tailings in Itogon in 2012. After months of recurring leakages, the Philex mine spill in Benguet has become the biggest mining disaster according to Department of Environment and Natural Resouces (DENR). it is ten times (10x) more than the mine tailings that spilled out of Marcopper mine in 1996 at Marinduque.
8. Camarines Norte. Dates back during the Spanish era in the Paracale, Jose Panganiban from rivers, streams and huge stones. XIN YE Precious Metal Technology Co Ltd, Johnson Gold Mining Corporation operate there. Mining operations can be sometimes less profitable due to the climactic frequent flooding in the area. A collapse of informal mining operations on the beach lead to the despondent deaths of several mining divers.
9. Marinduque. It is rich in “tanzo dilaw” bronze, copper and gold. Unfortunately, it has suffered some losses and tragedy when the dam was severely destroyed in 1996. Barrick is the global gold mining firm that bought Placer Dome Inc.–a parent company of Marcopper Mining Corporation that shut down operations following mine tailing spill. These gold companies or firms are being held accountable for unleashing a massive toxic waste into Marinduque’s Boac River and neighboring areas in a case considered the country’s worst mining disaster ever in history.

References

1. Our Operations. Bandoro Mining Inc. Bandoromining.com
2. Kalinga Mining Corporation Private Limited. May 24, 2022. zaubacorp.com
3. Local execs, residents buck gold mine exploration in Negros Oriental town. Kaye Brier. Inquirer.net. April 19, 2023
4. Mining in Negros: A Story of Plunder, Destruction and Dislocations. Karl G. Ombion and Edgar A. Kadagat.Bulatlat.com
5. Philex’s $224-m Silangan copper-gold project in Surigao gets support of LGUs. March 14, 2022. Manila Standard.manilastandard.net
6. Manila Mining to explore anew Surigao del Norte mine site. August 24, 2021. Karl R. Ocampo. Philippine Daily Inquirer. business.inquirer.net
7. Mining in Surigao Del Norte. The diggings. . thediggings.com
8. Mining In Surigao Del Norte. (2023). Retrieved 3 June 2023, from https://thediggings.com/phl/surigao-del-norte-phl3203
9. JV with Filipino Mining Group to develop Batangas Gold Project. February 7, 2023.
10. MRL Gold inks joint venture deals for Batangas mining projects. Marianne V. Go. The Philippine Star. February 28, 2009. abs-cbn.com
11. Philippines Environmental group oppose MRL Gold mining project in Batangas. June 9, 2015. mining-technology.com
12. Batangas opposes gold mine threatening Verde Island Passage. July 24, 2015. Pia Ranada. rappler.com
13. 11 big mining companies in Compostela Valley. January 5, 2012. rappler.com
14. Apex Mining discovers gold in Compostela Valley. July 21, 2010. gmanetwork.com
15. Baguio City, Benguet Gold Mines. thediggings.com
16. Paracale. wikipedia.org
17. Taiwanese firm launches $1M gold processing facility in Camarines Norte. November 27, 2019. bworldonline.com
18. Firm offers Marinduque $20 M for PH’s worst mining disaster. Marica Cinco. September 17, 2013. inquirer.net
19. Cordillera: Tribes Fight to Keep Out Mining Corporation. June 8, 2009. unpo.org
20. Illegal mining threatens Indigenous land at foot of Philippines’ tallest peak. Bong Sarmiento. November 30, 2021. news.mongabay.com.
21. Mining and murders on indigenous land in San Teodoro, Mindoro Oriental, Philippines. December 12, 2021. Environmental Justice Atlas
22. Surigao landslide that killed 5 miners a man-made disaster-group. November 23, 2007. gmanetwork.com
23. Seven Miners die in old Surigao tunnel. May 11, 2012. gmanetwork.com
24. 3 bodies retrieved from collapsed mining pit in Surigao Sur. October 15, 2020. Alexander Lopez. pna.gov.ph
25. 2 bodies recovered in wake of Agusan Sur mine collapse. November 12, 2012. Frinston Lim. inquirer.net
26. Mining operation in Agusan del Sur halted after destroying farmlands. Chris Panganiban. January 26, 2016. inquirer.net
27. Philex spill biggest mining disaster in PHL, surpassing Marcopper- DENR. Rouchelle Dinglasan. November 12, 2012. gmanetwork.com