Mineral Resources

Reported By : Francisco Lazarra Gatchalian III

Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth from an ore body, lode, vein, seam, or reef, which forms the mineralized package of economic interest to the miner.

The Philippine government promotes the rational exploration, development, utilization and conservation of mineral resources guided by its commitment to resposible mineral development.

The country’s mineral deposits can be classified into metals and non-metals. Our metal deposits are estimated at 21.5 billion metric tons, while non-metal deposits are projected at 19.3 billion metric tons..

Metallic Minerals:I. Metallic mineral re those minerals which can be melted to obtain new products.II. Iron, cooper, bauxite, tin, manganese are some examples.III. These are generally associated with igneous rocks.IV. They are usually hard and have shines or luster of their own.V. They are ductile and malleable.VI. When hit, they do not get broken.

Non-Metallic Minerals:I. Non-metallic minerals are those which do not yield new products on melting.II. Coal, salt, clay, marble are some examples.III. These are generally associated with sedimentary rocks.IV. They are not so hard and have no shine or luster of their own.V. They are not ductile and malleable.VI. When hit, they may got broken into pieces.

Map Of Minerals In The Philippines

Nickel ranks first in terms of deposits and size, it is found in Surigao del Norte, Davao, Palawan, Romblon and Samar.

Coins are example of Nickel

Iron is found in Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Norte and Cotabato.

Direct seller of Magnetic Iron Sand.

~Copper in Zambales, Batangas, Mindoro, Panay and Negros. Among non-metal deposits, the most abundant are cement, lime, and marble.

~Other non-metals include asbestos, clay, guano, asphalt, feldspar, sulfur, talc, silicon, phosphate, and marble.

Mineral Exports

US Dollar 2.836 Billion

Export of minerals in 2011. Copper , gold and nickel are copuntry’s top mineral exports in Japan, Australia, Canada and China

Employment210,00 workers are currently employed in mineral industry.

Taxes PaidPhp 13.373 BillionContributed to Philippine Economy in 2011.

Mining InvestmentUs Dollar 4.4453 BillionInvestment in exploration and mining projects ifrom 2004-2011.

Primary Mineral Commodities

GoldPhp 63.14 BillionThe value of gold produce in 2011.

Copper28.73%Average annual growth rate in production from 2006-2011.

Nickel811 MillionMetric tons of identified nickel reserves in the country in 2010

References

wikipedia.orgphilippine.history.orgwww.mgb.gov.ph