Mines bureau seeks Aussie help for mapping

MANILA, Philippines - The mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is seeking A$1.9-million funding from the Australian Agency for International Development to make electronic versions of mining maps. "The electronic versions of maps and the networking [of data] are to reduce the time in processing of papers," MGB Director Horacio C. Ramos said in an interview Tuesday. The Mines bureau presented the proposal during the Philippines-Australia Ministers Meeting early this month. The digitized maps will show mining areas that can be applied for permits by mining companies and possible mineral reserves, Mr. Ramos said. Digitizing of maps is expected to "improve the processing of applications and administration of mining tenements, and improve access to mining tenement information," a copy of the proposal read. "When applications are filed in regions, we will quickly know if that area is already occupied by other companies," Mr. Ramos explained in Filipino. The government has been criticized by mining firms for the lengthy application period for mining permits which could take as long as two to three years. Mr. Ramos said this move will help the country fulfill one of the commitments under the Manila Declaration signed recently by Southeast Asian mining ministers — to digitize mining maps in two years. "One of the goals in the declaration is the exchange of minerals informationwhen the database is computerized, it is easier to disseminate information," Mr. Ramos said. The Philippines sits atop an estimated $1 trillion worth of unexplored gold, copper, nickel and zinc reserves. — Neil Jerome C. Morales, BusinessWorld