Yamang Mineral Corp., a subsidiary of FCF Minerals Corp., the multi-awarded mining company behind the successful Runruno Gold-Molybdenum Project, set its sights on unlocking the province’s untapped mineral wealth.
“Abra holds immense potential for responsible and sustainable mineral development. We are eager to begin exploration to confirm the extent of its mineral resources and accelerate the timeline for investments that will directly benefit the people of Abra,” Darren Bowden, president and chief executive of Metals Exploration Plc. and FCF Minerals and concurrently the chairman of Yamang Mineral said in a statement.
“Our goal is to replicate, and even surpass, the success we’ve achieved in Runruno by fostering economic growth, environmental stewardship, and community development in Abra,” said Bowden.
FCF Minerals, a subsidiary of Metals Exploration Plc, recently acquired a controlling interest in Yamang Mineral, which holds significant exploration tenements in Abra.
The strategic move aligns with FCF’s vision to expand its global critical minerals operations.
The company’s track record in Nueva Vizcaya serves as a compelling blueprint for Abra’s potential economic boom. At the Runruno site, FCF has generated substantial economic benefits, directly employing nearly 79 percent of its 1,145 workforce.
FCF reported contributions of over P5.71 billion in various taxes, fees and duties that have supported national and local development initiatives since starting commercial operations in 2017.
The company also excelled in social development programs.
The funding of its social development and management program (SDMP) has reached over P543.7 million supporting education, healthcare and livelihood programs, including scholarships for indigenous students and infrastructure projects like farm-to-market roads. Similar initiatives in Abra will empower local communities and stimulate sustainable economic growth.
“Our commitment to environmental protection, health, and safety is unwavering,” Bowden said.
“We have consistently demonstrated that mining can be both a driver of prosperity, and responsible stewardship of the environment. In Runruno, we achieved 23 million safe man-hours without a lost-time incident, a milestone that underscores our dedication to safety.”
“We are a multi-awarded industry leader, recently securing its third consecutive Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award [PMIEA] for Surface Mining Operations. The company also bagged the Safest Mining Operation Award and Safest Surface Mining Operation Award, recognizing its exceptional safety standards and community engagement efforts,” he said.
FCF was recently recognized at the 3rd ASEAN Mineral Awards, placing first runner-up in Metallic Mineral Mining and second runner-up in Mineral Processing—the first Philippine company to win in two categories.
These accolades reflect our steadfast commitment to sustainable practices and community partnerships,” Bowden said.
“We aim to bring this same level of excellence to Abra.”
Bowden highlighted that the immediate operationalization of exploration efforts will be vital to determining the full scope of Abra’s mineral wealth and confirm what we believe may be one of the world’s biggest critical mineral reserve.
“Starting exploration work as soon as possible is essential. It will allow us to validate the province’s mineral potential and plan the necessary investments for operationalizing what can potentially be the biggest mineral development project in the country,” Bowden said.
“Our vision is to create a model for sustainable mining that benefits both the economy and the environment and most importantly, the people of Abra.”
The company’s commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in its pioneering use of eco-friendly technologies, such as the BIOX and ASTER processes at Runruno, which have minimized environmental impact while maximizing gold recovery.
These practices, along with extensive reforestation programs, could be adapted and scaled in Abra, promising significant ecological and economic returns.
“Our vision is to be a high performing, generational economic partner of Abra and the Philippine government. Our legacy in Nueva Vizcaya proves that responsible mining can drive inclusive growth and environmental sustainability. We are excited to embark on this journey and unlock Abra’s full potential,” Bowden said.
“With a proven track record and unwavering commitment to sustainability and community development, we are ready to mobilize resources and help drive a new era of economic prosperity for the province of Abra,” he said.
