Three ambassadors of wealthy countries pledged their unwavering and uncompromising support in providing added value to the Philippine mining industry for it to be a key player in the global scene in terms of mineral production and processing.
US Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson, Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu and Canadian Ambassador David Hartman made this commitment during the recently concluded 69th edition of the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA).
Ambassador Carlson disclosed that the United States Agency for International Development already committed to provide some $5 million or P280 million as support to the development of a one-stop shop and other related processes that will enhance the Philippine minerals industry for it to have added value in the production and processing of critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt and copper.
The US envoy explained that the US government is inclined to support the further growth of the Philippine minerals industry for it to play a key role in the global market and maximize the contribution of the critical minerals to the country’s economy.
For her part, Ambassador Yu claimed that Australia wants to share to the Philippine minerals industry its best practices on responsible mining, especially the partnership with indigenous communities, and state-of-the-art technology that will guarantee prosperity and fair share from the wealth that will be derived from the vast tracks of mineralized lands in the Philippines.
She disclosed that 14 percent of the Australian economy is contributed by mining, which is why the Philippines will surely achieve a similar status in the future if the country’s minerals are appropriately utilized and processed locally.
On the other hand, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman stipulated that the ethical and responsible practices of mining in Canada had paved the way for the nation to achieve its current status as one of the wealthiest and developed countries in the world as it derives bulk of its income from mining.
He said that the practice of responsible mining has already been adopted in some 12 countries in the world.
Hartman added that more importantly, the Philippines was the first country in Southeast Asia to embrace ethical and responsible mining way back in 2017 which already positioned the nation as one of Canada’s strategic partners in ensuring the appropriate and proper utilization of the wealth deposited underneath its lands.
He emphasized that Canadian mining companies that have partnered with their Filipino counterparts are doing well in advancing the practice of responsible and ethical mining because once that they are at fault, the erring companies will not only be prosecuted in the Philippines but they will also be prosecuted in Canada to ensure that those who do not adhere to such practice will be punished to the fullest.
Hartman assured the Philippine mining industry that Canada will remain as the strategic partner in the development and utilization of the country’s earth for the benefit of the Filipinos.
