Alvarez to keynote mining conference

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez will grace the opening ceremonies of the four-day Mining Philippines 2001 conference to be held at the Isla Ballroom of EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City from Nov. 20-23, 2001.

Mining Philippines 2001 is the biggest international mining event in the country this year.

About 200 guests, composed of foreign and local mining executives, consultants, prospectors, legislators, government policy makers, NGOs and Pos, among others, are expected to attend this bi-yearly conference.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines leads organizers of this year’s conference which include the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM), Philippine Mineral Exploration Association (PMEA), Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP) and the Society of Metallurgical Engineers of the Philippines (SMEP). The conference will be held in coordination with the Department of Energy, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Philexport. The event co-sponsor is the Metal Mining Agency of Japan. The Australian and Canadian embassies and the Asian Journal of Mining are also extending support to the conference.

Chamber of Mines president Artemio F. Disini said that this year’s conference will be held under the theme, "Mining: Engine for Economic Growth".

"We have actually expanded the scope of the conference to include energy resources such as oil, gas and coal," Disini said. "We hope to give a new perspective to the mining industry in its aim to alleviate poverty through the sustainable development of untapped mineral resources. It is our belief that minerals and energy resources are God-given wealth for the nation to be responsively developed and utilized for the good of the country and its people."

The conference will feature policy and technical paper presentations, a trade show, investor’s exchange and networking, social, sports and awards programs.

Interested participants should register with the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, through Nelia C. Halcon, EVP, at tel. no. 635-4123 to 24 and 635-4159 fax no. 635-4160.