Geoscientists, environmental experts and other stakeholders in the mining industry will converge on June 29 and 30 at Venus Parkview in Baguio City for the 2017 Hunt for Ore Deposits (HFOD): Challenges and Opportunities for Environmental Sustainability.

The conference will elevate discussions on rising concerns over the sustainability of the mining industry to a level that tests theoretical insights against realities on the ground.

Participants will talk about recent advances in mineral exploration, ecosystems valuation and management, and related topics on resource development and environmental sustainability. In addition, they will present some best practices in environmental management, rehabilitation measures, socio-economic programs, and other such concerns that could spell success or failure for industry players. 

There will be seven scientific sessions revolving around: socio-economic costs and opportunities in mineral resource development, advances in understanding mineralizations in the Philippine archipelago, mineralization styles and new ore deposit models, new frontiers in minerals prospecting, harnessing biological potency for geophysical restoration, holistic approaches for social acceptability, and ecosystems integrity and multi-criteria approach to resource characterization.

The Rushurgent Working Group (RWG) of the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), UP Diliman organized the conference jointly with the School of Environmental Science and Management, UP Los Baños. RWG also organized the first two HFOD conferences.

This event is sponsored by UP; the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development; Apex Mining Co. Inc.; United States Agency for International Development; Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Autonomous Region; Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc.; Nickel Asia Corp.; and Northern Cement Corp

Interested participants are advised to contact Dr. Carla B. Dimalanta, NIGS, College of Science, UP Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 1101 at telephone number +632-9818500 ext. 3763, email: [email protected] or through the conference website. (UPOVPAA)