The strategic role and potential of the mining industry was highlighted in a workshop held recently with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, mining industry, academe and environmental advocates.
The workshop, organized by the Stratbase ADRi and the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship, recognized the need to integrate a long term strategic roadmap for the efficient harnessing of country’s rich natural resources in the context of responsible mining and responsible environmental stewardship.
Dr. C.P. David, executive director of The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development and concurrently PBEST convenor, stressed the critical need to invest in research and development to provide the technical and scientific basis for economic policies.
The workshop tackled issues blocking the revitalization of vital industries such as steel and manufacturing, and the need to develop the capacity of the local mining industry to harness the country’s minerals efficiently.
Among the initial research topics that the group agreed upon are black sand mining to revitalize the local steel industry, environmental technologies, and value adding in nickel laterite exports.
