Phl-China exploration for earth elements may be canceled

MANILA, Philippines - A joint Philippine-China exploration for rare earth elements in the country might not push through this year as tensions between the two countries over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal continue.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Chinese government-owned entity China Geological Survey (CGS) were set to meet last month to discuss a planned exploration this year.

However, MGB director Leo Jasareno said in an interview late Friday that no meeting was held with CGS last month.

“We have written to CGS to ask about the meeting but there has been no response,” he said.

MGB and CGS were scheduled to discuss and prepare the terms of reference for the exploration work and finalize a memorandum of agreement (MoA).

According to Jasareno, an MoA will provide the details on how, when, and where the exploration work will be conducted.

The agreement, he said, will likewise provide the cost of the exploration work.

Jasareno explained that MGB decided to ask assistance from China for the exploration of rare earth elements since it has the expertise in the matter.

“We want to start the exploration work this year,” he said adding that the government has allocated some P2 million worth of funds for the initial work.

Last October, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje ordered the MGB to launch an exploration of rare earths in the country as China, which produces at least 90 percent of the world’s rare earths has been reducing its exports due to environmental concerns.

Rare earths belong to a group of 17 elements composed of scandium, yttrium and the lanthanides considered vital to the production of components for cars, computers and other electronic devices.