HOW MINERALS

ARE MINED AND

PROCESSED FOR
HUMAN USE
MINING
Ores
naturally – occurring materials that
can be profitably mined

A mineral is considered an ore based

on the following :
1. overall chemical composition
2. percentage of extractable
resource with respect to its
total volume
3. market value of the resource
MINING

Deposit
a potential ore body if its localized
abundance is greater than its
average abundance or distribution
on Earth’s crust
MINING
refers to a set of
processes in which
useful resources are
withdrawn from a
stock of any non
renewable source
PROSPECTING OR
EXPLORATION

Looking for the ore body

– a deposit that can yield
a large amount of the
required ore mineral
DRILLING

Extracting a part of the

ore to determine the
resulting ore, its quality,
and the amount of ore
minerals.
 MODELING

determining the ore’s size,

shape and grade distribution
throughout the deposit to
apply appropriate mining
methods, blast and dig
pattern designs, safety
precautions and efficiency
and processing methods
IDENTIFYING AND
ASSSESSING THE POTENTIAL
IMPACTS
considering on the social and
environmental aspects and
finding ways to mitigate any
consequence of the mining
operation, with the purpose of
bringing the area as close to its
original state as possible.
DESIGNING AND
CONSTRUCTING THE MINE
creating the appropriate
mine and operational design,
and proceeding with the
construction one all the
necessary permits are
acquired from the
environment and local
authorities
ORE EXTRACTION

separation of high grade

ores from the rest of the
deposit
MILLING

Crushing and
concentration of ores,
wastes materials
( tailings ) are released
MINE SITE
DECOMMISSIONING

Closure of the depleted

mine; the mine site is
cleaned up and reclaimed
or rehabilitated for other
purposes.
 PHILIPPINES’
MINERAL RESERVES

has around 41 – thrillion –

pesos – worth of untapped
mineral wealth from
metallic and nonmetallic
minerals
Metallic Minerals in the Philippines
Gold and Silver
Benguet, Masbate, Copper with
Camarines Norte, Gold and Silver
Compostella valley, Benguet, Cebu,
Agusan Del Norte, Zamboanga Del
Norte,
Chromite Nueva Viscaya
Surigao Del Norte,
Samar
Iron Nickel
Leyte, Bulacan, Palawan, Zambales,
Camarines Sur, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat
Zamboanga Islands
 Nonmetallic Minerals in the
Philippines
limestone, marble, gravel, sand
and other quarry materials

Marble Deposit
Limestone
Romblon
Guimaras Island,
> Rare black,
La Union,
gold and green
Pangasinan
marbles
THIRD – gold reserves
FIFTH – most
mineral – rich
country in the FIFTH
world for gold, -Nicke
nickel, copper
and chromite
l

FOURTH - Copper
What makes
Philippines a
mineral – rich
country ?
Because the Philippines
is located along the
Pacific Ring of Fire
where the processes of
volcanism and plate
convergence led to the
deposition of both
metallic and nonmetallic
minerals
Health Impacts
Lead poisoning causes neurological
damage, physical growth impairment,
nerve disorder, anemia and reduced IQ
Mercury poisoning affects the brain,
kidneys and lungs – associated with
gold and silver smelting
Silicosis and black lung due to
inhalation of silica dust and coal dust
Asbestosis caused by inhalation of
asbestos
The Philippine Mining Act of 1995
 Instituted to govern the exploration,
development, utilization and processing of
all mineral resources within the territory
and exclusive economic zone of the
Philippines
 Provide strict adherence to the principle of
sustainable development – the needs of
the present should be met without
compromising the capability of the future
generations to meet their own needs, with
the view of improving the way of life, both
now and the future
 The Philippine Mining Act
of 1995 Guidelines
1. Mining activities must always be
guided by the best current practices in
environmental management to reduce
impact of mining while efficiently and
effectively protecting the environment.
2. Mining activities shall be undertaken
with due and equal regard fro
economic and environmental
considerations, as well as for health,
public safety, social and cultural
concerns
 Mines and Geoscience Bureau

1. Management and administration

of mineral lands
2. Granting and cancelling of mining
permits
3. Enforcement and monitoring of
Environmental Work Program
(EWP) and Environmental
Protection and Enhancement
Program (EPEP)