Marcos pushes PH as Canada's mining partner

VANCOUVER — President Marcos promoted the Philippines as a “responsible” mineral processing hub and a strategic partner in the critical minerals sector as Canadian firms expressed interest in investing in the country.

During a high-level dialogue on Friday, the third day of his four-day official visit to Canada, Marcos explored investment opportunities and deeper cooperation with stakeholders in Canada’s mining, critical minerals, and energy sectors.

“Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, the high-level dialogue focused on positioning the Philippines as a sustainable, predictable, and socially responsible hub for mineral processing,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

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The discussions centered on potential Canadian investments in eco-friendly extraction technologies and renewable energy integration in the Philippine mining sector, the PCO said.

The dialogue also explored ways to strengthen corporate social responsibility to ensure that mining activities contribute to the development of local communities and promote inclusive growth.

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Nueva Vizcaya site

The President underscored the country’s goal of attracting investments in value-added mineral processing, citing the country’s nickel and copper reserves as strategic assets in the global shift toward clean energy and digital technologies.

These minerals are essential components in electronic vehicle batteries, renewable energy technologies, semiconductors, energy storage systems and advanced electronics, the PCO said.

In her remarks, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships with Canada and other like-minded economies.

She said critical minerals have become “strategic inputs” that underpin clean energy systems, electronic mobility, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and modern, industrial economies.

Mr. Marcos also met with leading Canadian companies such as gold and copper producer OceanaGold Corp., which pledged to invest $1.9 billion for the continued operation of the Didipio gold-copper mine in Kasibu town, Nueva Vizcaya.

The PCO cited the company’s 2023 technical report, which said the mine’s operation would end in 2035. OceanaGold said it is considering extending Didipio’s operational life until 2037.

Didipio operated as an open pit until it transitioned to an underground mine in 2018.

The PCO said the high-grade mining operation balances resource optimization with a minimized environmental footprint across Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

“More jobs and local growth are expected as an expansion worth USD1.9 billion is set to strengthen the Philippine mining ecosystem following the President’s productive meeting with Oceanagold Corp.,” the agency said.

Masbate venture

In Marcos’ meeting with B2Gold Corp., the Canadian mining company said it is planning to invest some $14 million in such ventures as the solar plant expansion in the Masbate Gold Project (MGP).

A major open-pit gold mining operation in the Philippines, MGP, is jointly operated by B2Gold subsidiary Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corp. and Philippine mining company Filminera Resource Corp.

According to the PCO, the project generated more than P10 billion last year in taxes and helped elevate its host town Aroroy, from a lower-income fourth-class municipality to a first-class municipality

This helped improve public infrastructure, educational assistance, and training programs for local scholars, the PCO said.

The agency said B2Gold also presented its new exploration initiatives through its B2Gold Philippines Exploration Office, which was established in 2024 following the company’s “positive experience operating in the Philippines.”

Other businesses

Canadian contact center provider NQX, in its meeting with Marcos, expressed its intent to invest $10.3 million to expand its Philippine operations.

NQX discussed with the President its three-year expansion plan to scale its high-tech customer experience and software engineering operations, the PCO said, adding that “this strategic roadmap focuses on expanding Canadian footprint in the Philippines.”

NQX’s operations in the country include its 2022 acquisition of Quantrics, a Philippine-based outsourcing company that started operations in 2016.

The President then held a meeting with Canadian conglomerate Telus to discuss its digital services and other Philippine operations.

Marcos earlier met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday, as they held bilateral talks on defense, trade and other areas of mutual interest, witnessed the signing of key agreements, and even stopped by a Jollibee branch in Vancouver. —WITH REPORTS FROM PNA AND INQUIRER.NET

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