About our Association
THE CHAMBER OF MINES OF THE PHILIPPINES is a professional association of the country’s largest mining, quarrying, and mineral processing companies, formed with the aim of promoting the responsible exploration, development, and utilization of minerals.
Incorporated in 1975 as the merger of two separate mining association, the Philippine Gold Producers Association (PGPA), and the Base Metals Association of the Philippines (BMAP), the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines has gone on to become the consistent and vigilant spokesman for the mining industry.
The Chamber was instrumental in the passage of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, working closely with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to craft legislation that would promote and ensure responsible mining in the country.
It has filed numerous petitions to amend mining regulations, and to espouse the cause of its members for a rationale and competitive fiscal regime for mining.
The Chamber’s significant involvement in the landmark case of La Bugal Blaan Tribal Association vs. Secretary of Environment, et al. marks the peak of the association’s passionate advocacy for an embattled industry. Its subsequent entry as party-intervenor to the case led to the reversal of the original decision of the Supreme Court declaring certain provisions of the Mining Act of 1995 and DENR Administrative Order 96-40 unconstitutional, and the affirmation that the law was in fact constitutional insofar as they relate to FTAAs.
Today, the Chamber, led by Gerard H. Brimo as Chairman, and its fifteen-man Board of Trustees continues its vigilant advocacy for the rights and interests of the large-scale mining industry, ever watchful for any threats to its long-term viability. From an original membership of 24, the Chamber has grown in size with a present roster 81 of mining companies, including mining equipment manufacturers, service contractors and other companies servicing the requirements of the mining industry.
The Chamber’s members include the oldest mining companies in the country, Benguet Corporation, Philex MIning Corporation, Atlas Consolidated Mining Corporation and Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, as well as the latest companies to start commercial operations in the country, OceanaGold, (Phils.), Greenstone Resources, FCF Mineral, and the Masbate Gold Project.
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP:
To be the leading advocate on issues connected with responsible mining anchored on the principle of sustainable development.
POLICY DEVELOPMENT:
To participate in policy development in order to create an investment environment that will allow the mining industry to effectively contribute to national, local and community development.
MINING ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT:
To demonstrate progress in environmental and mineral resource managemment and to share best practices among members and other stakeholders.
INFORMATION EDUCATION ADVOCACY:
To advocate the importance of the mining industry to national development and to anticipate future changes leading to its economic sustainability.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
To implement CSR standards by which compliance and progress can be gauged and monitored.
NETWORKING:
To contribute through international and national networks to a sustainable future for the mining industry.
The benefits of being a member:
Advocacy
We are the main lobby Group advocating for responsible mining. We lobby on the industry’s behalf in the areas of:
– Effective framework and progress in the grant of tenements, ECCs and other government requirements
– Financial and taxation matters
– Indigenous people concerns and NCIP process
– Mining land rights and security of tenure
– Mining regulations
– IPO listing and securities concerns
– Research and developement
– Value adding
– CSR and Environmental concenrs
– Media, NGO and government relations
– IEC
Information and Education
– We disseminate information and updates to the members thru our website/email.
– We attend to various meetings relevant to the industry
Networking
The Chamber President is a member of the Minerals Development Council – Office of the President and Chairman, Investment Promotions Group.
– We network with ASEAN and Asia Pacific Countries thru the ASEAN Federation of Mining Associations (AFMA)
– We provide networking thru our yearly events, roundtable discussions lecture series and other gatherings
– We have close association with foreign embassies and are members of several organizations like PCCI, ECOP, PhilExport, PBSP, etc.
– We network with CREBA and the Contruction and Electrical Engineering Associations
– We also Network with the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and CBCP
Research and other programs
– Establishment of EMS in Small and Medium-scale mining/quarrying industries thru PEARL2 (CIDA Project)
– Manpower Survey
– Profiling of the Mining Industry’s Salaries and Benefits or Compensation package
– CSR Guidebook for the Philippine Mining Industry
– CSR Institute