Baguio City. Geoscientists, environmental researchers, and other stakeholders from the academe, industry, and government sectors gathered for the 3^rd Hunt for Ore Deposits (HFOD) conference at Venus Park Hotel, Baguio City, 29-30 June 2017.

This year’s HFOD conference is co-organized by the Rushurgent Working Group (RWG)-National Institutes of Geological Sciences (NIGS), College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman and the School of Environmental Science and Management-University of the Philippines Los Baños (SESAM-UPLB).

This conference aims to discuss recent advances in minerals exploration, ecosystems valuation and management, and related topics on resource development and environmental sustainability. With rising concerns on the sustainability of the mining industry, this year’s conference will provide a venue for the presentation of best practices in environmental management, rehabilitation measures, socio-economic programs, and other such concerns that spell successes or failures for industry players. More significantly, the conference presents the best opportunity for elevating discussions to a level that will test theoretical insights against real-world complications, especially in the fields of social sciences. 

With the theme “challenges and opportunities for environmental sustainability”, Dr. Carla B. Dimalanta, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (research), University of the Philippines, highlighted the strengthening of the collaboration of UP-NIGS and SESAM-UPLB in her opening remarks.

In his welcome address, Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., Chancellor, University of the Philippines Los Baños, said that this conference is an opportunity to discuss issues, concerns and even solutions of the problems in the mining industry. “This is an opportunity for us to ask relevant questions and also collaborate for the sustainable use of mineral resources”, Chancellor Sanchez said.

For his part, Dr. Graciano P. Yumul, Jr. former undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and current vice president of Apex Mining Co., Inc. said that despite the recent news of closure of mining companies due to the compliance requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), mining will still continue. “There is a future need for metals”, he added. 

Dr. Graciano Yumul of Apex Mining Co., Inc. stressed the importance of the mining industry in the nation. (photo: Pol Veluz)

Aside from keynote speeches, there will be oral and poster presentations from professors, researchers and students. More than 200 participants attended this conference, which is supported by Apex Mining Co. Inc, Northern Cement, Nickel Asia Corporation, SR Metals, Inc., Philex Mining Corp., Macawiwili Gold Mining and Development Co., Inc., Macro Asia Mining Corp., Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc., Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc., Sumitomo Metal Mining Philippines Holding Corporation, United States Assistance in Development (USAID), Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Autonomous Region (MGB-CAR) and the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD).