PH mining industry gets boost from EU, Canada, Japan, Australia

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union and three more nations pledged more support to the Philippines’ efforts to revitalize its mining industry, international think tank Stratbase Institute said.

In a statement, Stratbase Institute said that ambassadors of Japan, Australia, Canada, and the European Union made the commitment during a recent mining conference that they co-organized with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya stressed the importance of the exchange of vital mining materials in the economic relationship between Japan and the Philippines.

“As the price of critical minerals, including nickel, could be volatile, a stable business environment is essential. And I would like to thank the government of the Philippines for its continuous support for maintaining such an environment,” Kazuya said.

“By working together to address challenges and opportunities in the mineral trade, Japan and the Philippines can further enhance our strategic partnership and contribute to the growth of our respective industries,” he added.

Kazuya further said that Japan is interested in exploring the country’s proposal for a joint geological survey that will assess its potential for mineral resources.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu, on the other hand, voiced Australia’s interest in strengthening its critical mineral strategy by partnering with the Philippines.

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“So, this focus by the Philippines on critical minerals could not have come at a better time,” Yu said.

“Given Australia’s expertise and the Philippines’ commitment to developing a world-class, sustainable, environmentally friendly mining sector, really, our strategic partnership is one that is made in heaven. It’s a perfect match,” Yu stressed.

“We should definitely get Australian companies to invest in the Philippine mines, and we should definitely get them to provide the latest mining equipment, technology, and services to Philippine mining companies,” she added.

Meanwhile, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman mentioned that both the Philippines and Canada are members of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, and Sustainable Development (IGF).

It is recognized as a “foremost institution for promoting sustainable mining principles and practices, with over 80 member countries.”

“Under the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan, the Philippines has identified critical minerals as a priority for development and investment. Canada and indeed Canadian companies stand ready to support the Philippines in harnessing the potential of these minerals through research and development collaboration, capacity building and training and encouraging greater uptake of value-added processing among Canadian companies already domiciled right here in the Philippines,” Hartman said.

“To our government and the Philippine partners, I extend an open invitation to share your technical assistance requirements with my team and I at our embassy. My commitment to you is to give your request priority consideration,” he added.

The European Union likewise hoped the Philippines would be part of the Mineral Security Partnership Forum.

“From the perspective of the European Union, it is imperative that the mining industry would have very strong environmental, social and governance standards that are embedded in the daily practices of the mining industry,” EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron said.

For his part, Stratbase Institute President Dindo Manhit noted that there is a need for a guaranteed policy that is responsive and maintains ease of doing business.

“Because at the end of the day, if we transform ourselves from one that is consumption-driven to one that is investment-led growth, which will create jobs, address livelihood for our people, we need to take into consideration how do we bring these investments,” Manhit said.

“And we need government, the private sector, and investors to really work together and find a common interest, find the common ground to achieve that investment, that goal for the Filipino nation,” he added.