The Philippines is a mineral-rich country yet mining is restricted due to previous negative environmental impact, illegal operations and mismanagement. This programme seeks sustainable solutions that benefit the economy and local livelihoods and minimise negative impacts on the environment.
This programme aims to:
- improve understanding of the impacts of past and future mining practices in the Philippines
- develop new innovative approaches to the production of minerals that minimise negative impacts on the environment and the health and wellbeing of communities.
As one of the world’s most mineral-rich countries, mineral extraction in the Philippines is a critical industry which offers significant potential benefits and returns to both the economy and local livelihoods. The global demand for minerals to support clean energy technologies is growing but mining for minerals remains restricted in the Philippines due to past environmental impacts, illegal operations and mismanagement.
This new programme of research is essential to deliver a sustainable pathway for Philippine mineral supplies.
Three research themes have been identified to address this overarching objective:
- novel technologies for the sustainable extraction and understanding of mineral deposition in the Philippines
- legacy (abandoned) mines and mine tailings including resource recovery, processing of untapped or unprocessed minerals, and understanding of the impacts of past practices and routes to ecosystem rehabilitation
- understanding the fate, transport, and impact of associated contaminants through the environment.