Hinayon Mine and Mill Practice Report

CEBU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY
Cebu City
Mining Engineering Department
A Report On
Summer Mine and Mill Practice

In Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of
Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering
Philex Mining Corporation

Padcal, Tuba, Benguet
(April 10, 2017 – June 3, 2017)
Presented to:
Engr. Osita L. Catipay
Chair – Mining Engineering Department
Cebu Institute of Technology – University
Presented by:
Alwyn Dave G. Hinayon
5th Year, BS Mining Engineering
June 2017
PHILEX MINING CORPORATION
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Engr. Osita L. Catipay
Chair - Mining Engineering Department

Cebu Institute of Technology- University
N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City
Dear Engr. Catipay:
In conformity for the degree of the Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering course, I
am submitting my final report entitled “Summer Mine and Mill Practice”. This report is
based on my 48 days of training at Philex Mining Corporation, Padcal, Tuba, Benguet
last summer 2017. The content is based on the actual observations and experiences that
I have eagerly observed and immersed during my On-the-Job Summer Training at the
company.
This report aims to best the knowledge and information to those Mining Engineering
students who wish to undergo their Mine and Mill Practice at Philex Mining Corporation
and also serves as a reference for information of the CIT - University Mining Engineering
Department of the said company.
I sincerely hope that this report will give you more information.
Thank you.
Respectfully yours,
Alwyn Dave G. Hinayon
MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 2

Table of Contents
Contents
Page Nos. Acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
...........6-7
Objective of the Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
Part I – THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11
Company Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
Mission and Vision Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Core Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Site Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Physiography and Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Mining Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Organizational Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
- 16
Corporate Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
Major Awards/Citations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- 25

Sto. Tomas II Ore Deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Geology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
- 28
Lithology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
- 33
History of the Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
- 38
Mining Method and Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
- 49
Part II – COMPANY DIVISIONS AND DEPARTMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . 50
The Safety Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50 - 53
The Mine Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53
Mine Development Planning and Rock Mechanics Section . . . . . . .
54 - 68
Survey Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
68 - 69
Draw Control Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 70 - 72
Contract Management and Cost Control Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
72 - 74

Mine Operations - Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

74 - 81
Mine Operations – Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 82 - 89
Ventilation Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
89 - 94
Mine Mechanical Services Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. 95
Mine Crushing and Ore Handling Department . . . . . . . . . . . .
95 - 97
Mine Mobile Equipment Services Department . . . . . . . . . . . .
98
Mine Mechanical Related Services Department . . . . . . . . . . . .
99
Mine Underground Electrical Services Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 99
The Mill Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . 100 - 105
Tailings Pond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 106 - 108

Part III - SUMMARY OF WEEKLY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . 109 -114
Part IV - COMPANY PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 115
Part V - OJT - TRAINEE CONCERNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 115 -117
Part VI - OVER-ALL COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS . .
. . . . . . . . 117 -118
Part VII – APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 119
Personal Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 119
Educational Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 119
Pictorials and Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 120 -132

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the following persons, because

without those support, cooperation and concern, this report would not have been
possible.
To our Almighty God, for always guiding me to the right path and strengthening
me every day so that I could stand strong against the obstacles in my endeavors. He who
has blessed me abundantly, given me good health and for not forsaking me in times of
great need. He has always answered my prayers and took care of my beloved family.
To my family for their unending love and support both financially and
emotionally. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me from the very beginning.
To Engr. Osita L. Catipay, Chair of the Mining Engineering Department, for giving
us the privilege to undergo the said Mine and Mill Practice, for sharing her knowledge,
time and effort in teaching us unselfishly in Principles of Mining, Geology, Mineralogy,
Surface Mining, Petrology, Metallurgy & Techniques of Metallurgy, and for guiding us
trainees and for her undying effort to help us in our training.
To Engr. Armando L. Malicse, for sharing his knowledge on Structural Geology.
To Engr. Felix T. Timbal, for enlightening us the importance of safety in Mining

activities.

To Engr. Ramon G. Roña, for pursuing and urging us to study more and for
sharing his expertise in Mineral Exploration and Rock Mechanics.
To Engr. Marion G. Erazo for sharing his knowledge in orienting us about Mineral
Processing and the mining industry.
To Engr. Pepito T. Echavez, for imparting his knowledge in mine surveying and
methods in underground mining.
To the Mentors, Managers, Superintendents, and Supervisors, thank you for

teaching and sharing your experience, expertise and knowledge to us trainees, so we can
have an overview on the different departments, its functions and activities both in Mine
and Mill.
To the Dormitory Caretakers for the accommodation and provision of our food
and also in taking good care of us during the duration of our stay.
To my awesome and loud Groupmates, Team Lang Uyam, whom I was with from
the start until the end of the training: Chambelle Nieve “Chams” Aballe, Alex “Sir Alex”
Lagbas, the Lang Uyam girls, Agathxa Mae “Aggy” Ordoña, Jovy “Shemay” Morcoso and
Justine “Binat” Balin. I enjoyed immensely being a part of this amazing group, we shared
so much fun together; laughters, sadness and success and I have no regrets whatsoever
because this was the “Best Group” and I couldn’t imagine myself being in another group
other than you guys. Cheers and see you soon in the industry as licensed mining
engineers.
To my co-OJT trainees of summer 2017 whom I have shared laughters,

experiences, moments and memories with, we were as if a big family and I am greatly
thankful for being part of that family. To the mining engineering and geology students of
Adamson University, team Bicol University, NORSU and PARSU geology students, Mapua
University and lastly Lyceum. Thank you for all the happiness and for sharing your

knowledge. For the memorable experiences we spent together and for all the bonding
moments that showed each of our individual characters. It was an honor to be your
batch president even though I wasn’t that effective. See you around in the industry in the
near future.
To everyone that was a part of my experience. THANK YOU.
OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT
Mining is one of the basic yet large industries responsible for the development of the
modern civilization. It is also held as the prime mover that leads man to technology
advancement.
Since minerals, the basic raw materials for technological manufacturing, are rare and
are difficult to find but thanks to advanced technology, we are able to locate minerals as
fast as before in the old times.
Anyhow, this report aims to discuss and summarize the subjects in a way that it can
easily be understood which is about the functions of the different divisions and sections
of the company and how they systematically arranged in relevance to a certain area
within the company.
The prime purpose of this report is to acquire knowledge, information and skills in
different aspects based on the actual observation on the daily activities in mining
operation during the training at Philex Mining Corporation.
To impart knowledge to the interested readers especially the Mining Engineering

students who wish and plan to undergo their Summer Mine and Mill practice in Philex
Mining Corporation.

ABSTRACT
The Mine and Mill Practices accomplished in Philex Mining Corporation at Padcal,
Tuba , Benguet, which lasted for 48 days was chiefly the application of the theories and
lectures learned from school. This report tackles the history of Philex Mining
Corporation, its ore body, which is the Sto. Thomas II, the three main divisions and the
operations done in the mine.
In Mine Division, its role focuses on the mine planning and design, development
and production of the mine in meeting the tonnage per day that is benchmarked with
some figures, tables and plans.
In Geology Division, the district and regional setting of the ore body were
presented with the help of cross-sections, 3D figures with the aid of software, and maps.
It also comprises of lectures regarding the exploration, mineralogy and petrography, ore
reserve, underground sampling and mapping, diamond drilling and core logging and
engineering geology.
In Mill Division, the milling process undergone by the proper run of mine ore
from the primary crusher up to its concentrate through floatation and how the valuable
metals contained in the ore were extracted and treated and separated from the gangue.

INTRODUCTION
Mine and Mill Practice is a pre-requisite subject in compliance of the Bachelor of

Science in Mining Engineering program. This 6-unit subject undertaking is offered in
every summer term intended for pre-senior students and serves as the actual
application of the theories learned from school for it to be more effective. Its prime
purpose is to expose the students to the actual scenario of their profession. This year,
twelve (12) of the Cebu Institute of Technology - University Mining Engineering pre-
senior students were sent to undergo their Mine and Mill practice at Philex Mining
Corporation in Padcal, Tuba, Benguet, Philippines.
Truly, Philex Mining Corporation is a “gift of God, a work of Man”, striving for
excellence in mining for the benefit of mankind. This prestigious company is well known
for its rigorous, fully immersive, yet safe training for Mining Engineering students which
they continue to strive until now. The company’s policies and activities that are done in
the mine are something to be emulated by other companies, specifically in terms of
safety.
In order to share our experiences especially to the Mining Engineering students

who have not yet undergone their practice, the students consolidated all they had
learned about the company to generate this report. This is based on the students’
observations and evaluations during the actual performance. This report will serve as a
guide to the succeeding trainees.

I. COMPANY PROFILE
Name of Company: Philex Mining Corporation
Address: Padcal, Tuba, Benguet
Telephone Number: (0943) 516 2718
Fax Number: 634 4441
Company Classification: Mining Company
Year Incorporated: 1955
Year Operation Started: 1958
Location of Mill Plant: Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet
Location of Mine Camp: The Mine Camp is 17 aerial kilometers southeast of Baguio City
Name of Orebody: Sto. Tomas II Orebody
Type of Mineralization: Porphyry Copper
Products: Copper (main), Gold and Silver (by-products)
Mining Method: Fully Mechanized Multi-lift Conventional Underground Block Caving

Method
Market: Pasar, Leyte/Centrotrade, Japan
Initial Ore Reserve: 18.0 million metric tons with 0.90%Cu and 0.977gram Au/ton
Production Rate: 27,500 MT per day

Philex Mining Corporation
Vision Statement
To be a highly respected word-class natural resource company committed to deliver
excellent value to its investors, employees and other stakeholders.
Mission Statement
We are a responsible mining corporation that discovers and processes minerals and
energy resources for the use of society.
Core Values
Integrity
Teamwork
Respect for Individuals
Work Excellence
Corporate Responsibility
Social and Environmental Responsibility

SITE LOCATION
Philex Mining Corporation’s mine site is located at the southern tip of the central
Cordillera, straddling the municipalities of Tuba and Itogon, Benguet. It is about
seventeen (17) aerial kilometers south – southeast of Baguio City and lies at an elevation
of 1500 meters above sea level. Access from Baguio City is via thirty two (32) kilometers
well – paved road with a travel time of one hour. Philex Mining Corporation was
incorporated in the Philippines in 1955 to engage in mining activities. Its shares are
listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange while 81% of its shares - owned gold subsidiary,
Philex Gold, Inc., are listed in the TSX Venture Exchange.
The Company has operated the Sto. Tomas II with copper-gold-silver deposit at
Padcal, Tuba, Province of Benguet for about 54 years. The Padcal mine was the first
block cave operation in the Far East. Total ore mined to year-end 2007 was 314.05
million tons, with a metal production of 858.16 million kilograms (1,895.24 million
pounds) of copper concentrate, 153.05 million grams (4,923.80 thousand ounces) of
gold and 169.26 million grams (5,453.50 thousand ounces) of silver in concentrate and
bullion form. The Padcal mine is the only remaining copper-gold operation in the
Philippines.
The total land area applied of Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA)
was 14,256 hectares, area covered by mining claims was 14,085 hectares, and an area
lease contract was 342.85 hectares. The developed areas affected by operations which
include subsidence, ore body, tailings pond, residential area, school, recreational and
industrial areas covered a total area of 580 hectares.

The Philex Management is totally committed to the protection of its environment

and showed deep concern to the welfare of its employees and dependents as well.
PHYSIOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The locale is very rugged, where the mine site lies at an elevation of 1,500 meters
above sea level and depicted by steep and gentle slopes varying in different parts. The
climate is cool and invigorating with the rains coming mostly between the rainy seasons
of June to October. Occasional typhoons occur in the area annually with 500 mm average
rainfall. Several tributaries of Agno River (Albian Creek) occurred. Bued River and
Toboy River were drained to the eastern, western, and southern areas respectively.
Vegetation is mostly pine trees.
MINING CLAIMS
The total land area applied in Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA)
was 14,256 hectares, area covered by mining claims is 14,085 hectares and an area lease
contract is 342.85 hectares. Developed areas affected by operations which include the
subsidence, ore body area, tailings pond, residential area, school and recreation and
industrial areas cover a total area of 580 hectares.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND STAFF

(As of 2016)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Manuel V. Pangilinan
Chairman
Juan B. Santos
Vice Chairman
Eulalio B. Austin, Jr.
Michael N. Alimurung
Bienvenido E. Laguesma
Barbara Anne C. Migallos
Emilio S. De Quiros, Jr.
Oscar J. Hilado (Independent)
Robert C. Nicholson
Wilfredo A. Paras (Independent)

Marilyn A. Victorio – Aquino
OPERATIONS STAFF
(As of 2017)
PADCAL OPERATIONS
Eduardo M. Aratas Manuel A. Agcaoili Milton L. Agyao

Division Manager - Legal Padcal Resident Manager Division Manager - Mill
Roy P. Mangali
Asst. Resident Manager
Ricardo S. Dolipas II
Division Manager - Mine
William D. Agustin Paul P. Lumpias G.B. Oldangon

Mine Mechanical Services Mine Operation Group Manager Mine Engineering and
Group Manager Draw Control Department
Manager
D. G. Fianza R.S. Rosalin

Mine Mechanical Related Mine Shift Manger
J.K.V Magtagnob
Services Department
CMCC Superintendent
Manager
B.B. Gapongli
F. D. Generao
T.C. de Guzman Mine Shift Manger
Survey Superintendent
Mine Mobile Equipment
Services Department
Manager
P.C. Ngoddo R.M. Velasco
Mine Shift Manger Mine Devt. Planning and
Rock Mechanics OIC
A.A. Biala
Mine Crushing and Ore
Handling Department A.A.T. Mitran
Manager Ventilation Superintendent J.L.L. Reyes
Draw Control
Superintendent
M. G. Baladad J.A. Maligsa

Mine Underground Logistics Superintendent A.C. Dalaten
Electrical Services L-O-M Superintendent
Department Manager
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
PHILEX CORPORATE STRUCTURE

MAJOR AWARDS/CITATIONS
PHILEX HAILED “BEST MINING FOREST”
At a testimonial dinner at the CAMP - John Hay Convention Center in Baguio City
on November 22, 2008, Philex took top honors as it received the Best Mining Forest
award for fiscal year 2007 – 2008 during the 55th Annual National Mine Safety &
Environment Conference. Started in 1989 pursuant to a Government directive, the
Adopt-a-Mountain, Adopt-a-Mining Forest mandates all mining companies to conduct
reforestation / afforestation within or outside their active mining operation areas. The
program was renamed “The Mining Forest Program” on October 26, 2005, per NEC
Resolution No. 2005-02, to make it separate and distinct from other DENR Reforestation
Programs.

The first, second and third runners-up for distinction went to Apex Mining Co.,
Inc., Philex Gold Phils., Inc. – Bulawan Operation and Philex Gold Phils., Inc. – Sibutad
Project, respectively. Last year, Philex – Padcal also won the top honors for the same
recognition.
In the same event, Engr. Joel Son, Safety Department Manager, received an award of
distinction in relation to the rescue and recovery operations Philex has been extending
through the country, the latest of which was the Gold Field Mine, Antamok tragedy
where 10 miners survived and 6 perished.

PHILEX WINS NATIONAL OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD
It’s another feather added to Philex's cap!
Philex Mining Corporation was conferred with another distinction, this time, as a
NATIONAL OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARDEE – Organization
(Corporate) category. The award, conferred by the Philippine National Volunteer Service
Coordinating Agency under the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA), is in recognition of the Company’s exemplary volunteerism in the protection
and preservation of life under emergency circumstances. Over the years, Philex has
taken on a very active role in civic volunteer work, most notably in emergency rescue
and retrieval operations all over the country. For this year alone, the Company has
extended assistance in at least four tragic incidents, in Tinoc, Ifugao, Mayantoc, Tarlac,
Kias, Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet. It has also assisted in the clearing
operations along Kennon Road and Naguilian Road as a result of the devastation brought
about by Typhoon Pepeng.
On December 10, 2009, the Philex delegation headed by Engr. Joel S. Son
personally received the award in Malacañang from no less than the President of the
Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Earlier, Philex Mining Corporation, Engr. Joel S. Son and Hilario R. Villanueva
were selected as Regional Winners in the Search for Outstanding Volunteers in the
organization and individual categories respectively. The awards were given by Benguet
Governor Nestor Fongwan and NEDA-CAR Regional Director, Juan B. Ngalob on the
occasion of the Regional Development Council En Banc meeting in La Trinidad, Benguet
on November 13, 2009.
Once more, Philex stands proud! Mabuhay ang Philex!

The only metal mining company in the Philippines awarded with ISO 14001
Certification (Certificate No.: CI/1097 issued on 10 September 2002) even before the
promulgation and implementation of DENR Administrative Order 14, Series 2003. This
certification is based on the company’s self-regulation toward Improved Environmental
Performance.

Presidential Award for Heroism - The company’s commitment to help in the

country’s rebuilding after natural disaster has been recognized through a Presidential
Award for Heroism in the aftermath of the February 20, 2006 Ginsaugon, Leyte landslide
and the July 16, 1990 earthquake in Baguio City. The photograph shows the Padcal Mine
Safety Manager receiving the award from Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
LATEST AWARDS
 The Asset's Corporate Awards
Philex Mining Corp. has bagged the "Gold Award" granted by The Asset's Corporate
Awards, receiving it during the gala dinner in Hong Kong on Dec. 11, 2014, for the
quality of its financial performance, corporate governance, social responsibility,
environmental responsibility, and investor relations.
 Asia CEO Awards
Philex Mining Corp. has clinched the 2014 “Security Bank Corporate Governance
Company of the Year” award granted by the Asia CEO Awards, which noted the
company’s excellence in management through its system of rules, practices, and
processes.
 Corporate Governance Asia
Philex Mining Corp. has been noted by a prestigious regional journal as one of the
companies in Asia that are “following the path of good corporate governance,” granting
it the “Most Promising Companies on Corporate Governance” award for 2014. The
award, bestowed by Corporate Governance Asia, the region’s most authoritative journal
on corporate governance, is a new set of recognition based on quality of management,
business model, growth prospects, financial performance, and relative position in the
industry.

 Finance Asia
Philex Mining Corp. has been named as one of the Philippines' top companies,
garnering the fifth and ninth places in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility and
Best Corporate Governance categories, respectively, in the latest poll done by the
Hong Kong-based FinanceAsia magazine. Conducted among 265 investors and
analysts across Asia from February to March 2012, the poll underscores Philex
Mining's commitment to responsible mining, which focuses on operational
excellence, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
 ICD ACGS
Philex Mining Corp. is a Silver Awardee in the 2011 and 2010 Institute of Corporate
Directors (ICD) ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) for publicly-listed
companies in the Philippines. The company was also included in the Top 20
awardees in the 2007 ICD ACGS. (ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations.)
Reforestation/Environment Awards:
 2008, 2007, 2004, 2000-2002, 1994, 1991 - Champion: "Best Mining Forest"
 2008 - Platinum Award (Silangan Mindanao Mining Company, Inc.) given by the
Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Awards (PMIEA)
 2007 - ASEAN Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award (ASEAN Federation
of Engineers Organization (AFEO)
 2005 - 2006, 2003, 1996-1999, 1990 - First Runner-Up - "Adopt-A-Mountain,
Adopt-A-Mining Forest"
 2002, 2003, 2004 - Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award,
Boyongan Exploration Project - DENR/PMSEA

 1998 - Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Platinum Award -
DENR/PMSEA
 1995 - LikasYaman Awardee - Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR)
 1983 - Four Green Stars (Highest award given to a mining company in the
Philippines) International Loss Control Institute
Community Development, Health, Labor, & Others:
 2008 - Special Award of Recognition for unselfish service extended during time of
crises (PMSEA)
 2003 - Kapatiran Award: Strategic Visioning – ECOP
 2000 - 2001 - CHILD-FRIENDLY FIRM Award - ECOP
 1999 - Commendation to the Philex Rescuers who helped in the Lumban, Laguna
Tragedy (DILG)
 1997 - HAMIS Silver Award - Integrated Community Development Programs in
Health Care Management DOH/German Agency for Technical Cooperation
 1997 - CAR's Most Outstanding Firm with Family Welfare Program – DOLE
 1997 - Hall of Fame Award - Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa (under the
Katarungang Pambarangay Program; first barangay in the country to achieve Hall
of Fame status)
 1996 - One of the Most Outstanding Workplace in the CAR - DOH-CAR
 1995 - SPEC Employer of the Year Appreciation Award – DOLE
 1995 - One of the 50 Model Communities in the World by the "We the Peoples'

Organization" of the United Nations
 1995 - Recognition - Municipality of Itogon - Community development projects
 1994 - HAMIS Bronze Award for Integrated Community Development Programs
in Health Care Management - DOH
 1994 - Hall of Fame Award for Family Welfare Programs – DOLE
 1993 - One of the Philippines' 10 Best Managed Firms - Asiamoney's Survey
 1993 - Recognition for Family Welfare Programs - DOLE
 1992 - 1994 - One of the Philippines' 20 Most Outstanding Firms With Family
Welfare Program – DOLE
 1992 - Acknowledgement - Ligay Community PTA/Ligay Catholic Mission - Road
and community development programs.
 1991 - KABISIG Award - DTI
Safety Awards:
 1994, 1975-1993, 1969 - Safest Underground/Block Cave Mining Operation
Philippine Mine Safety & Environmental Association (PMSEA)
 1978-1979 - Safest Concentrator - Philippine Mine Safety and Environmental
Association (PMSEA)
 1977 - Exemplary Performance and Contribution to Safety Movement in the
Philippine Mining Industry Safety Organization of the Philippines (SOPI)

STO. TOMAS II ORE DEPOSIT
LOCATION
The Sto. Tomas II ore body

of Philex Mining Corporation is
deposited at the southern tip of the
Luzon Central Cordilleras about 17
aerial kilometers south-southeast
of Baguio City. It is located at Brgy.
Padcal, Tuba, Benguet. Access to
the mine site is a 32-km company
road of about an hour to drive.
Within the Mine site is a private
own community and it is free in
water and electric supply as one of
the community development
programs of the company.
3D Image of the Sto. Tomas II Deposit
GEOLOGY
The PMC Sto. Tomas II Deposit is within the Baguio Mineral District, an area
known historically as heavily mineralized for gold. The notable area for gold in the
district is Itogon. The gold producers in the district were Benguet Corporation, Itogon-
Suyoc, Antamok, Baguio Gold, Atok Big Wedge, Benguet Exploration, etc. In the 50s when
the large low-grade bulk mineable copper deposits became feasible to mine, several
porphyry type deposits were found and brought to production. Notably, these deposits
were the Sto. Tomas II, Sto. Niño, Western Minolco, (north of the Baguio Mineral
District) and Black Mountain, also in Tuba. The geology of the Baguio Mineral District is

attributed to several workers, (Balce G., 1979), (Pena, R. and Aurelio, M., 2004), (Serafica
et al, 1977).
Sto. Tomas II copper-gold deposit of

Philex Mining Corporation is located at
Padcal, Municipality of Tuba, Benguet
Province. Tuba is situated in the south-
western tip of the Central Cordillera
Mountain Range that extends from the
north-western tip of Luzon towards
Pangasinan. South of the municipality lies
the province of Pangasinan and to the west
lies the Ilocos rolling hills of the province
of La Union. It is hemmed in by the
municipalities of Sablan and La Trinidad on
the north; the city of Baguio and the
municipality of Itogon on the east; and the
municipalities of Sison and San Manuel on
the south.
Figure below gives us a close-up of the Sto. Tomas Ore body

As indicated by the figure above, the Sto. Tomas Ore Body of Philex Mines lies
directly along the path of the Albian and Sta. Fe fault lines. A sharp movement along the
fault line can result to a geological disaster. The Albian Fault and the Sta. Fe Fault are the
two major faults that transect the deposit. The NE trending faults are believed to have
some involvement in the emplacement and continuity of the Sto. Tomas II deposit. The
Sta. Fe fault was mapped underground and the fault trace trends N60E and dips 70SE
and the fault cuts the deposit at depth. The fault was exposed in 980 ML and found to
show slickensides, indicative of a dextral slip. The Albian fault is believed to be the
structure responsible for the ground preparation for the Sto. Tomas II deposit and the
ore feeder. The fault strikes N 35° E, steeply dipping in the north edge (80° SE) and 50°
SE in the south edge.
Location of Philex ore body: Philex Mines’ PowerPoint above suggest s that
the Sto. Tomas ore body is approximately at N16º16’ E120º32’.

LITHOLOGY
Rock Types
Radiometric Dating
Zircon Fission Track K-Ar Dating

Host Rocks Age
Dating
(Teledyne Isotope
(Dr. J.F. Lovering) Ltd.)
Meta-andesite and Meta-

Paleocene - -
sediments
Intrusive
Early 1.4 + 0.4 Myrs 1.9 + 0.5 Myrs

Andesite Porphyry
Pleistocene 1.4 – 0.4 Myrs 1.9 – 0.5 Myrs
2.0 + 0.5 Myrs

Clear Diorite Late Pliocene -
2.0 – 0.5 Myrs
Dark Diorite Late Miocene - 3.8 + 1.1 Myrs
Description of Lithology
(a) Dark Diorite (b) Clear Diorite
It is the oldest of the intrusive and the principal ore- It is the next episode of intrusion. It formed
bearing rock type in Sto. Tomas II. The dark color is discontinuous dike bodies around the dark
due to the evenly distributed fine-grained magnetite diorite. The clear diorite is less mineralized
and deep brown biotite in the matrix. compared to Dark diorite.

(c) Andesite Porphyry
The andesite porphyry occupies the core

of the intrusive rocks. It has been
regarded as low grade in Cu but has
good Au grades
(d) Quartz Diorite (e) Hornblende Andesite
It is the youngest of the intrusive rocks This rock type was encountered in the open pit
encountered at about 900 ML. area. It has not been seen underground.
Geologic Structures
The orebody is pipe-like and almost vertical with lateral dimension of 500 meters
and by 550 meters and a vertical column of 730 meters. At the top of the deposit had
its outcrop at the headwaters of Toboy River and Albian Creek with an elevation of
1,500 meters above sea level.
The complex stocks of quartz diorite porphyries (1 – 2 million years by Fission

Track Dating) intruded into the Zigzag-Pugo Formation along the northeast trending

steeply dipping Albian Fault in four episodes of intrusion and associated

mineralization. These intrusions are classified from the oldest to youngest as dark
diorite, clear diorite, andesite porphyry, and hornblende andesite porphyry.
Orebody Geometry
Length : 550 meters

Width : 500 meters
Height : 730 meters
Shape : pipe-like
Altitude : Vertical, Tapers to the North
Ore Characteristics
Above 110 ML or Gypsum Line Fragmentation: RQD < 50

Below Gypsum Line Massive with RMR: 55 RQD > 75
Ore Reserve
Total since 1957 Remaining as of Jan. 1, 2001

Million DMT 367.612 125,483
% Cu 0.310 0.282
g Au/DMT 0.626 0.674
Ore Distribution

Level M DMT % Cu gAu/ton Meta-volcanic Intrusive

975 ML 5.508 0.245 0.718 75% 25%
908 ML 29.869 0.284 0.593 65% 35%
840/867 ML 51.933 0.280 0.591 60% 30%
773 ML 38.173 0.290 0.843 75% 25%
745 ML 125.483 0.282 0.674
Dominant Alteration Minerals
Quartz, Secondary Biotite, Anhydrite,

Ore Zone
Serecite, Magnetite
Quartz, Chlorite, Epidote, Magnetite,
Fringe Zone
Pyrite
The host of mineralization is mainly the hornblende quartz diorite porphyry, the
Metavolcanics and, to a lesser degree, the other intrusive rocks. The K-Ar age of the
hydrothermal alteration and mineralization was estimated to be 1.5 ± 0.4 Ma. The
orebody is cylindrical/ pipe-like and almost vertical with lateral dimensions of 400
meters by 500 meters and vertical extent of 700 meters (Imai, 2001). Alteration is
typical of porphyry copper deposits. Main alteration assemblage associated with copper-
sulfide mineralization is quartz -biotite-chlorite. Hydrothermal alterations observed are
silicification, biotization, sericitization, propylitization, pyritization and sulfatization.
Silicification, generally observed in the quartz diorite porphyry and Metavolcanics,
occurs in the form of stock work and fissure-filling veinlets, and vug-filling quartz
crystals.
Mineralogy and Petrography

Primary ore minerals are chalcopyrite and bornite (1 – 2%) with associated gold
and silver and trace of palladium-bearing carried by quartz and anhydrite stock
works. Native gold occurs mainly with copper sulfides either locked or along grain
boundaries and also interstitial to gangue minerals like quartz and anhydrite.
Alteration is typical to porphyry copper deposits. Main alteration assemblage

associated with copper-sulfide mineralization is quartz-biotite-chlorite. Orthoclase
that is characteristic of potassic zone is absent. Sericite is weak and actinolite is also
noted.
1. Hypo gene Copper Minerals – chalcopyrite and bornite
2. Sulfide Mode Occurrence – fracture fillings and stock works associated with
quartz and anhydrite as disseminations.
3. Gold Occurrence – free gold associated with chalcopyrite and bornite; 80%
recovered with Cu concentrate; 20% from gravity. Altitude: vertical, tapers to
the north.
HISTORY OF THE MINE

Philex Mining Corporation was incorporated in 1955. It is one of the relatively

new large-scale mining companies in Benguet. Lepanto Mining Corporation operating in
the Municipality of Mankayan, for example, has been in Benguet since 1936 while
Benguet Corporation (known as Benguet Consolidated Mining Company in 1906 and
Benguet Gold Mines in 1903) has been in Benguet for more than 100 years.
Incorporation and ownership of Philex Mining Corporation
From incorporation of Philex Mining Corporation in 1955, mill and mine

construction commenced. Mineral production started in 1958 at 800 tons per day.
However, mill capacity was at 2,000 tons per day. Company data reported to the
Securities and Exchange Commission say that ore extracted and processed from1958
was 332.2 million tons by 2008 and produced 897.4 million kilograms of copper, 162.2
million grams of gold, and 177.9 million grams of silver.
Company data say that, as of 31 December 2006, total ore milled reached311
million metric tons and generated US$2.7 billion through exports. A 26 February 2005

report of The SunStar says that from a deposit of 18 million tons and after mine and mill
expansion, Philex Mines mined and milled a total of293.6 million tons of ore over 47
years, from 1958 to 2005. Philex generated a total of US2.6 billion through exports
during the period. Further, during the 47years, SunStar also say that the company
produced 3.248 million dry metric tons of concentrate consisting of 824 million
kilograms of copper, 146.9 million kilogram of gold, and 163 million kilograms of silver.
The main site of Philex mining operations, from its establishment until today, is
the Sto. Tomas II ore body in Padcal, Tuba, Benguet. Padcal Mine, as the mining site is
also known, used to be a completely logged-out old sawmill.
Production in 1958 started at 800 tons per day

Philex Padcal area in 1958
311 million tons milled in 48 years by Philex Padcal

Tax paid by Philex: P9.7 billion in 50 years, P485 million in 2006
Philex Mines is proud to be the first mining company in the Philippines to have
earned the International Standard Organization (ISO) 14001 certification, making Philex
the first Philippine mining company to earn the certification. Philex claims to have
successfully reforested watershed, open, denuded, and poorly stacked forestlands with
an area of 1,540 hectares as of 2005.

Philex mining method 1958-1963: open pit mining
MINING METHOD/PROCESSING
The mining method applied in Philex Mining Corporation is Block Caving System.
Slusher’s winches and recently load-haul-dump (LHD) units are used for ore extraction
and feeder and conveyor belts for ore transport. This method is used to partly cut off
thick block of ore from surrounding blocks by series of drills, as one above the other, or
by boundary shrinkage stopes. It is then undercut by removing a slice of ore or a series
of slices separated by small pillars underneath the block. The isolated, unsupported
portion of the block of ore breaks and caves under its own weight. Gravity forces in the
order of millions of tons act on the rock masses, and successive fracturing occurs,
affecting the entire block. As the rock pressure increases at the bottom of the block, the
ore crushes to a fragmentation that allows removal through draw points. Philex adapted
the block caving for it is suitable for the geology of the site.
The mine operated for the first two years a small open pit and shifted to
underground block caving using slusher and LHD extraction system respectively.

1. Slusher System (1963 – 1996)
The method generally consists of driving a series of spaced openings called the
slusher lines and are laid out in a north-south orientation. At the upper level of 1020
ML, ore is drawn by full gravity and slushed by 0.90 metric tons capacity buckets
which are pulled by a 36 Hp slusher winches through short transfer raises to 1015
ML. These are loaded into 0.80 cubic meters bottom-dump mine cars and
transported by 25-ton diesel locomotives along the 3 km stretch to the dump bin.
However, the railroad hauling system was placed out last February 1997 as all the
slusher blocks at 1020 ML have been depleted. Ore from the slusher blocks at 908
ML is slushed through long transfer raises and loaded into the feeder belts and
eventually to the dump bin via CHC system.
2. Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) System (1996 – present)
Due to the increasing hardness of the ore at depth and water-related problems
that adversely affected the operation, the company has emerged in terms of
mechanization. With this, hydraulic jumbo drills for development activities and LHD
units for ore extraction replaced the conventional rock drills. This method can draw
coarsely fragmented ore at high production rate. The ore is drawn from draw points
with wider openings by LHD equipment. The lower levels particularly at 908 ML are
laid out in an east-west orientation. These are driven at an interval distance of 26
meters center to center.
The fallen ore is extracted from the draw crosscuts by the LHD’s and dump into
the grizzlies equipped with mechanical breakers. The sized ore travels into a long
transfer raises and conveyed to cabled belt conveyors through feeder belts.

Characteristics of Philex ore body: massive
Overview on mining and milling method at Philex-Padcal

Philex mining 1963-1996: block caving-slusher method
Philex mining 1996-present: block caving with load-haul-dump

Sun Star (2 February 2005) describes the LHD or load, haul, and dump of the
Philex mining method this way: ore is drawn by the load haul-dump or LHD units then

transported to the mill through cable belt conveyor system, 2.7 kilometers away from
the ore body. Sun Star reports further that the milling process of Banget Concentrator
utilizes three stages of crushing that creates a final product of copper concentrate
described as “73% minus 10 mm.”
Developing mines from which ores can be gathered involves the following
processes: horizontal and vertical driving, installation of rock support, drilling of fan
holes, excavation of trenches, and undercutting.
Overview on Philex mine development

Horizontal driving in Philex mine development
Vertical driving in Philex mine development

Installing rock support in Philex mine development
Drilling of fan holes in Philex mine development

Drawpoints for ore in mine development
After a mine has been developed, production commences. Production involves

scooping, breaking rocks to get the ore, handling the ore, crushing the ore, and
conveying the ore.
Overview on block-caving in mine operations

Ore extraction method
Scooping, loading, and dumping of ore

Subsidence at the ore body in mine operation
Backfilling operations at subsidence area maintaining a gradient of -4 to -7

degrees.

The Sto. Tomas II ore body is along the Albian and Sta. Fe faults. Based on
Figures35 and 36 above and Figure 37, it is clear that the block caving-LHD mining
method currently used by Philex mines involve the backfilling of subsidence areas. An
important question to ask, therefore, is: what are the risks and how can we monetize the
value of the risks involved in Philex mining given that the country lie along the Pacific
ring of fire that is vulnerable to frequent earthquakes and given that the Philex ore body
are crisscrossed by two fault lines?
Backfilling above active mining area

Milling flow sheet and transport to Poro Point for Japan or Leyte

II. COMPANY DIVISIONS AND DEPARTMENTS
THE SAFETY DEPARTMENT
- In the activities underground, the department encourages the word “SLAM”

which means, Stop, Look, Assess and Manage for the safety of workers and
better productivity.
Functions of the safety department:
1. Maintenance of good working environment on the job site.

2. Monitoring through the establishment of accident rate reports, accident case
analysis and use of standards statistic system.
3. Training of supervisors and workers with the safety practices and procedures
(first aid, mine rescue, fire prevention and others).
4. Promotion of safety through contents, printing of papers or handouts,
production of posters and road signs and others.
5. Preparation of accident records of employees with accompanying analysis.
The frequency rate remarkably improve from 3.42 in 2005 to 2.89 in 2006;
however incidence rate per million man hours slightly increase from 5.06 in 2005
to 5.30 in 2006. The company-wide safety audit system is continuously
implemented in pursuit to an accident free operation.
Top Ten Basic Safety Rules
1. Follow instructions; don’t take chances, if you don’t know, ask.

2. Correct on report unsafe condition.
3. Help keep everything clean and orderly.
4. Use the right tools and equipment for the right job; use them safely.

5. Report all injuries; get first aid promptly.

6. Use, adjust and repair equipment only when authorized.
7. Uses prescribe protective equipment; wear safe clothing; keep them in good
condition.
8. Don’t horseplay; avoid distracting others.
9. When lifting, bend your knees; get help for heavy loads.
10. Comply with all safety rules and signs.
25 General Safety Policies:
1. An employee shall report to work well rested and not under the influence of
any intoxicating liquor or prohibited drugs.
2. The employees should work using proper clothing, shoes or boots, and skull
guards whenever it is required.
3. An employee shall qualified and/or experienced or have general knowledge to
perform the particular work he was assigned.
4. An employee shall study the job carefully to determine all the hazards present
and see that all necessary safeguards and safety devices are provided to
protect his self and other workmen.
5. He shall examine safety devices before they are used to make sure that they
are in good condition and that the proper device shall be used.
6. He shall faithfully observe all rules and regulations pertaining to safety and
sanitation.
7. An employee shall submit himself to physical examination as the employer
may require.
8. He shall follow instructions given by the operating staff and the safety
department.
9. He shall not enter areas known to be dangerous or pass through danger signs
without proper authority.
10. An employee is not allowed to linger in any part of the plant or any working
area after the end of the shift.

11. He shall be forbidden to interfere with, remove, displace, damage or destroy

any safety device or other personal protective equipment furnished for his
protection or for the protection of others.
12. He shall promptly report all unsafe and unsanitary conditions to his
supervisor.
13. He shall assist his fellow workmen in the prevention of accidents and warn
them on dangerous conditions.
14. He shall attend safety meetings conducted by the management.
15. An employee shall not be allowed to ride on any company vehicle unless he is
authorized to use it.
16. He shall immediately administer first aid if qualified, to an injured workman or
get in touch with the nearest first aid station.
17. He shall take care of inflammable materials in such a way as to minimize fire
hazards.
18. He shall report to his supervisor in any injury sustained while performing his
regular duty in the company no matter how slight it is. This must be done
twenty-four hours.
19. He shall not be permitted to enter with or carry intoxicated liquor, drugs or
deadly weapons into any working area.
20. An employee is not allowed to sleep in any working area either on or off duty.
21. He shall watch out for any moving machines while in the performance of his
work.
22. He shall pass or work under power shovels and other parts of the machines.
23. He shall not horseplay so as to prevent from accident and not to distract others
from doing their work.
24. An employee shall lift with his knees bend in carrying heavy loads.
25. An employee shall comply with all safety rules and regulations mentioned.

Safety Performance Analysis
1. Accidents happened commonly from the Mine Division, VP/RM Group, Mill
Division and Contract Group.
2. Injuries are commonly cause by truck by, Pinning, Rock fall and Structure
against.
3. Accident are commonly caused by:
a. Failure to secure due to poor judgement.
b. Improper position for task due to overconfidence.
c. Failure to assess hazard due to violation by SOP/SSP.
4. Accident commonly occur during the following work activities;
a. Working/handling on suspended load.
b. Ground support particularly on timbering and rock bolting.
THE MINE DIVISION

If the Geology Department serves as the life of the mine by finding ore and
affirming the presence of such ores, the Mine Division is the center and heart of the
company’s operation. It is principally responsible in all the mining activity from mine
planning, and designs, mine underground development works, are extraction and
quality.
The Mine Division also involved in electrical operation, supply delivers and
mechanical operations in the maintenance of all mine equipment such drilling
equipment (Jumbo Drills, Air-Leg). Loading and hauling equipment (LHD, Volvo and
LPT) and including the operation in Batching Plant.
The Mine Division is composed of four major departments namely: Mine Engineering
and Draw Control Department, Mine Operations Group, Mine Mechanical Group,
Logistics and Mine Underground Electrical Services Department.

Mine Development Planning and Rock Mechanics Section
The roles of Rock Mechanics section are the following: provide the geotechnical and
up to date data and services, informs the management of potential geotechnical hazards,
and gives the appropriate remedy for the said hazards.
Rock mechanics is a combined responsibility of the geology and the mine

engineering staffs, with the geology providing the vital information to the mine
engineering to include in mine planning the following:
1. The ground characterization through rock mass classification

2. Determination of the cavability of the ore column
3. Undercutting sequence
4. Fragmentation of the rock mass in the ore column
5. Draw zone spacing
6. Proper draw control procedure
7. Layout of openings
8. Design of ground supports based on the rock mass condition
9. General geology of the orebody
For the proper interpretation of the rock mass that would cater to the diverse mining
situations, Philex adopted the modified geomechanics rockmass classification (Mining
Rockmass Rating, MRMR) as this system is recognized and used by most of the block
cave mine worldwide. Dr. DH Laubscher introduced the concept of MRMR to fine-tune
the Rock Mass Rating (RMR) for the diverse mining environments. The RMR is subjected
to a series of adjustments so that the final ratings (MRMR) could be used for mine
design.

Basic parameters of the RMR are the following:
Intact Rock Strength (IRS) which is the unconfined uniaxial compressive strength of
the rock between fractures and joints. The intact strength of a rock can be estimated
using Table 1 and the ratings for the different IRS values can be found in Table 2.
Table 1
Estimation of intact rock strength (after Laubscher 1990)
Equivalent stress
Descriptive rock strength
MPa psi
Easily molded in fingers; shows distinct heel marks 0.05 5
Molds in fingers with strong pressure; faint heel marks 0.07 10
Very difficult to mold in fingers; difficult to cut with hand spade 0.15 20
Cannot be molded in fingers; cannot be cut with hand spade
0.5 70
and requires hand-picking to dig out
Very tough and difficult to move with hand-pick; requires
0.7 100
pneumatic spade for digging
Crumbles under firm blows with sharp end of geological pick
and can be peeled off with a knife; too hard to cut out a test 3 450
specimen by hand
Can just be scraped and peeled with a knife; indentations up to
3 mm show in the specimen with a firm blow of the geological 7 1000
pick point
Cannot be scraped or peeled with a knife; hand-held specimen
can be broken with one firm blow of hammer end of geological 20 3000
pick
Hand-held specimen breaks under more than one blow with
70 10000
hammer end of geological pick
Many blows with geological pick required to break through
200 30000
intact specimen

Table 2
Intact Rock Strength (IRS)

MPa % Rating
185 20
165 – 185 18
145 – 164 16
125 – 144 14
105 – 124 12
85 – 104 10
65 – 84 8
45 – 64 6
35 – 44 5
25 – 34 4
12 – 24 3
5 – 11 2
1–4 1
Fracture Frequency per Meter (FF/m) is the number of naturally occurring

discontinuities in a specified length of core or sidewall (refer to Table 3).
Table 3
Fracture frequency per meter rating (after Laubscher 1990)
Fracture Frequency per Meter (FF/m)

Rating
Average per meter
1 Set 2 Sets 3 Sets
0.10 40 40 40
0.15 40 40 40

0.20 40 40 38
0.25 40 38 36
0.30 38 36 34
0.50 36 34 31
0.80 34 31 28
1.00 31 28 26
1.50 29 26 24
2.00 26 24 21
3.00 24 21 18
5.00 21 18 15
7.00 18 15 12
10.00 15 12 10
15.00 12 10 7
20.00 10 7 5
30.00 7 5 2
40.00 5 2 0
Joint Condition which is the assessment of the frictional properties of the joints (not
fractures) and is based on expression, surface properties, alteration zones, filling and
water. The procedure for the determination of joint condition is shown in Table 4, which
divides the joint assessment sections into subsections A, B, C, D, and E.
Table 4
Joint condition rating (after Laubscher 1990)
Accumulative % adjustment of a possible rating of 40

Adjustment (%)
Parameter Moderate High
Description Dry
Moist Pressure Pressure
25 – 125 >125

li/min li/min
Wavy/multi-directional 100 100 95 90
A
Uni-directional 95 92 90 87
Large Scale
Curved 90 87 85 82
Joint
Slight undulation 85 82 80 77
Expression
Straight 80 74 70 72
B Very rough 95 90 85 80
Small Scale Striated/rough 90 85 80 75
Joint Smooth 85 80 75 70
Expression Polished 80 75 70 65
C
Joint Wall Weaker than wall rock 75 70 65 60
Alteration
Non softening and sheared
material
D Coarse 95 90 70 70
Joint Filling Medium 90 80 70 60
Fine
80 70 60 50
Soft sheared material

Coarse 70 60 50 40
Medium 60 50 40 30
Fine 50 40 30 20
D Gough
Joint Filling Thickness<Amplitude of 40 30 20
irregularities
10
Gough
Flowing
Thickness>Amplitude of 20 10
material
irregularities
E Anhydrite (5+) 95

Cement Calcite, Fluoride (3 – 4) 90

Hardness Gypsum (1 – 2) 85
Table 5
Meaning of the ratings (after Laubscher 1990)
1 2 3 4 5
Class A B A B A B A B A B
Rating 100 – 81 80 – 61 60 - 41 40 - 21 20 – 0
Description Very good Good Fair Poor Very poor
Table 6
Parameters/adjustments to arrive at MRMR (after Laubscher 1990)
Parameter Possible adjustment, %

Weathering 30 – 100
Joint Orientation 63 – 100
Induced Stresses 60 – 120
Blasting 80 – 100
Factors affecting Mining- Induce Stresses
 Drift – induced stresses

 Interaction of closely spaced drifts
 Location of drifts or tunnels close to large stopes abutment stresses,
particularly with respect to the direction of advance and orientation of the
field stresses
 Uplift
 Point loads from caved ground caused by poor fragmentation
 Removal of restraint to sidewalls and apices

 Increase in size of mining area causing changes in the geometry

 Massive wedge failures
 Influence of major structure not exposed in the excavation but creating the
probability of high toe stresses or failures in the back of the stope
 Presence of intrusive that may retain high stress or shed stress into
surrounding, more competent rock.
MRMR = RMR × % weathering x % joint orientation x % induced stresses x % blasting

effects
The resulting MRMR after applying corresponding adjustments factors to the

RMR is 21 to 30 or poor ground conditions.
The evaluations of the following geomechanical issues shows the importance wage of
rock mechanics in the design of Philex mechanize block cave operations.
Cavability
Aside from the after asked question of, “Will it cave or will not cave? The real
question is “Can we afford to make it cave? Carry the rock away and extract the
mineral?” Laubscher (1994) stated that the cavability of an ore deposit is based on many
aspects, but clearly, if a large enough area is undermined (hydraulic radius), any
rockmass will cave. The manner of their caving and the resulting fragmentation size
distribution need to be predicted if cave mining is to be successfully implemented.
Controlling the draw as the cave can only propagate if there is space into which rock can
move, can slow the rate of caving. Advancing cut more rapidly can increase the rate of
caving but problems can arise if this allows an airgap to structures, heavy blasting and
the influx of water can result in damaging an air blasts. Rapid, uncontrolled caving can
result in an early influx of waste dilution. The rate of undercutting should be controlled
so that the deterioration of the undercut and is extraction openings is avoided. Stagnant
cave front should be avoided.

Fragmentation
Primary fragmentation is the particle distribution that separates from the cave
back and enters the clean column. It is generally finer that from subsidence caving owing
to the rapid propagation of caving in the latter case with disintegration of the rockmass,
primarily along favorably oriented joint sets and little shearing of interaction of rock.
Secondary fragmentation is the reduction in size of the original particles that enters the
draw column, as it moves through the draw column.
Draw Zone Spacing
It should always be determined using the results of the secondary fragmentation

study and interaction of adjacent draw points. The spacing should also be carefully
chosen so that the three-dimensional flow ellipsoids from adjacent overlap slightly. This
produces almost complete extraction and minimizes dilution.
Draw Control
In order to improve fragmentation, the height of cave should be maximized and a
slow initial rate of draw should be used. The rate of draw should be such that the volume
of ore removed during causing is equal to the volume increase or bilking of the caving
rockmass.
Basic Concepts in Block Cave Mining
 Draw rate is dictated by caving rate. The more fragmented the ore, the greater
the draw rate.
 Block should be developed and mineral in a systematic fashion, favoring one or
two general retreat directions.
 Blocks should be developed to ensure retreat towards service areas.
 Convergent re-entrant or air step caving fronts should be avoided.
 Stagnant caving fronts should be avoided.
 The cave line should be configured perpendicular to production workings.

 The larger the drifts directly beneath and adjacent to caving areas the
incidence of ground control problems.
 The larger the density of drifts, the higher the incidence of ground control
problems.
 Efforts should be undertaken to ensure that an undercut is created.
Rock Supports within the Sta. Fe Fault
- at Production Lines
 Shotcrete (Initial)
 Rockbolt (Initial)
 Concreting with Steel Sets
- at Draw Crosscuts
 Rock Bolt (Initial)
 Steel Set (3 sets)
 Concreting
- at Undercut Lines
 Rockbolt
 Timber (for immediate support)
 Shotcrete (case to case basis)

Rock Supports outside of the Sta. Fe Fault

- At Production Lines
 Final Rockbolt with Cable Bolt
 Final Shotcrete (4 inches thick total)
- At Draw Crosscuts
 Cable Bolts (11 pcs)
 Steel Set (2 Sets)
- At Undercut Lines
(Only Rockbolt)
Meanwhile Development Planning, from the name itself is responsible for

preparing the plan and layouts suitable for the economic footprint of the company as
well as the desired supports to be used in the different mining levels.
Plan – a map showing features such as mine working of geological structures and
projecting its objectives and strategies.
Planning – a method of pre-designing different detailed work to be undertaken.
The Planning section has the following objectives and functions:

1. Prepares the plan and layouts/programs and budget based on annual production
schedules and monitor these against actual for appropriate adjustments and
action
2. Coordinates with the Mine Logistics/Mine Engineering and Materials Management
Department for the delivery or requisitioning of supplies/materials and
equipment in underground.
3. Responsible for the training and motivation of production mines/operators in
coordination with HRD/PID and Safety.
4. Prepares all necessary reports and documents together with the mine
information technology crews for discrimination and appropriate action of all
concerned.
Factors to be considered in planning:
1. Layout or design of a certain project

2. Feasibility study
3. Cost estimate at development stage
4. Project duration/completion at development stage
5. ROI (Return of Investment) at production stage
6. Life span
7. Schedule
Importance of Proper Planning:
 To determine if your feasibility study is acceptable

 To determine if the design is acceptable
 To determine the development and production costs
 To determine the life span of the project
Project Scheduling – is a form of planning strategy indicating various detailed work

activities and time frame of a certain project to be undertaken.
Two Kinds of Project Schedule:

1. Gantt chart Schedule

2. PERT/CPM-Project Evaluation Review Technique/Critical Path Method
Importance of Project Scheduling:
 To determine the manpower to be utilized in the project

 To determine the duration or date of completion
Factor to consider in Project Scheduling:
1. Different work activities to be undertaken.

2. Resources involved in the project (manpower to be included).
3. Availability of the materials.
4. Arrangement of the activities.
5. Determination of the parameters to be considered in each activity.
6. Determination of the duration of each work activity.
7. Determination of the activities that proceed, succeed or those that that can be
simultaneously done.
Drilling and

Blasting Pattern of drives
Production Line
Undercut Lines
STANDARDS
Rock Bolts = deformed bars
Length – 7ft (2.1m)
Diameter – ¾ in
Base Plate – 6 in x 6 in, 3/16 in Thickness, ¾ in diameter of hole
Wedge Lock = ¾ in hexagonal
At Draw Crosscuts – 7 bolts each ring and 2m spacing from each ring
At Undercut Lines – 7 bolts each ring and 2m spacing from each ring
At Production Lines – 9 bolts each ring and 2m spacing from each ring

Cable Bolts = used CHC Cable Wires
Length – 6.3m
Base Plate – 8 in x 8 in, 3/16 in Thickness, ¾ in diameter of hole
Grout Hose = ½ in diameter plastic hose
Grout Mix = Water to cement ratio should be maintained at 0.30 to 0.35

which is 14 liters of water for every 40 kg bag of cement
Application:
At Drawpoints– 11 cable bolts each drawpoint: 5 at the brow, and 2 rings of 3

cable bolts spaced out by 2 meters.
At Production Lines – 3 cable bolts each ring with 6 rock bolts and 2m spacing
from each ring.
An example of a plan layout of a draw crosscut.

Survey Section
The main function is to provide data/information needed by the Engineering

Department for feasibility study preparation. Also provide assistance to planning/design
section. Undertake survey works both underground/surface and other survey activity
outside the mine, monitor excavation and progress of backfilling activities and the
subsidence area.
Surveying is a work of:
1. Measuring horizontal and vertical distances

2. Measuring angle between lines
3. Determine the direction of mines
4. Establishing points by pre-determined angular and linear measurements
5. Mathematical calculations of elevations, areas and volumes from the data
surveyed
Underground work activities in Philex:
1. Establishing centerline of a tunnel

2. Establishing grade lines of a tunnel
3. Sunflower Offsetting of a tunnel
4. Setting the Alimak anchor guide
5. Monitoring ITH/CUBEX, drilling, concreting activities
6. Measuring daily development advance
7. Office work:
8. Complete of field survey
9. Updating of plan maps, developing advance report
10. Blueprinting of maps, etc.
11. Floating

Surface work activities in Philex:
1. Pit subsidence survey – 4% required slope stability

2. Tailings pond survey – 60% dikes slope stability
3. Hydrographic survey – pore point
4. Chain survey
5. Bathymetric Survey
6. Ore stockpile survey
Surface survey includes topographic survey in subsidence area and other sites,
location and relocation survey, progress survey, and volume survey of stockpile.
Draw Control Section

This section controls and predetermines the required draw rate. Its objective is
to check that draw-out of the ore is informed as possible. Maximum tonnage with
minimum dilution is maintained in order to protect the block from damage and prevent
the occurrence of “pipe-outs”. They also conduct audits to determine which drawpoint
shall be prioritized for scooping or indicate a drawpoint for constriction.
Functions of Draw Control
1. Ore Extraction by Drawing
Draw Rate – quantity that must be pulled out in draw point.
Caving Rate – ability of the ore to be caved and crushed. It is directly proportional to
draw rate. If slow draw occurs, there will have pack-up and it will build pressure. To
prevent this from occurring, maximize ore recovery and minimize dilution, and check
the draw order. Here are some parameters needed:

1. 1.1 grade – PCBC and GEMCOM

2. 1.2% extraction or age of draw
3. Condition of draw point
4. Ore Accounting (Tonnage Accounting)
5. Sampling/Grab sampling is done per draw point.
6. Draw Points Survey
7. Subsidence Area Operation
8. Backfilling of subsidence at the ratio of 1:5
9. Gradient of – 4% to – 7% towards the drainage outlet
10. Construction of benches to support wall
11. Maintenance of silt pond
12. Reforestation
% EXTRACTION CHART (Philex Standard)
<=60% >60%
W/O Constriction Dry Wet Dry Wet
F 50 TPD 150 TPD 50 TPD 20 TPD
M 200 TPD 150 TPD 150 TPD 100 TPD

W/ Constriction
F 150 TPD 100 TPD 100 TPD 50 TPD
M 250 TPD 200 TPD 200 TPD 150 TPD
Priority Extraction (Philex Standard)
Priority Conditions
P1-A Fluidized, Near at Structures, Wet
P1-B Fluidized, Not Near Structures

If >60% (Wet) and if >60% Fine/Medium

P2 >60% Dry, Not Near Structures, Fine/Medium
P3 >60% Dry and Coarse/Very Coarse
Common kinds of Chokes at Drawpoints
 Hung Up – due to very coarse rocks, blocking the trench.
 Pack Up – fine fragmentation of rock that is solidified.
 Solid Back – caused by slow caving.
NOTE: The usual remedy for these problems is by applying secondary blasting.
Fragmentation Standards
 VC – Very Coarse - > 0.6m

 C – Coarse - .4m - 0.6m
 M – Medium - 0.2m - 0.4m
 F – Fine - < 0.2m
Dilution Standards
 FR – Fresh – 0 to 12%
 SD – Slightly Diluted – 12.5% to 37.5%
 MD – Moderately Diluted – 37.5% to 62.5%
 HD – Highly Diluted – 62.5% to 87.5%
 Brown Ore - >87.5%
Contract Management and Cost Control Section
- CCMC’s main function is to do the research, feasibility studies, and the cost
analysis needed for the mine operation’s future projects, whether this project

is economical or not. In this section, the trainees are given the chance to know
the different contractors of the company, at the same time, their assigned
projects and how the company distributes the cost.
Mine Contract Activities:
1. U/G Development Works 6. U/G Ore Rehandling
2. U/G Concrete Works 7. Tire Repair/Retreading
3. Fabrication Works 8. Spillage Cleaning
4. Aggregates Hauling 9. CHC/FBC Maintenance
5. Subsidence Backfilling 10. U/G Pest Control
Contractors under the CMCC
Activity Contractor
U/G Development Works BBF, Conex, Paramina(PETY)
U/G Concrete Works Ed’s Construction, Nichol’s Construction

Fabrication Works Nichol’s Construction
Aggregates Hauling Perla Ewis
Subsidence Backfilling GA Flores Construction Inc.
U/G Ore Rehandling VB Gonzales Trucking
Tire Repair/Retreading Netruma Inc.
Spillage Cleaning Banos Shayotao Construction
CHC/FBC Maintenance PACE Corporation
U/G Pest Control QUINOPEZ
Tire Budgeting and Cost Control

*Annual Tire Budget of the Company: P68 million/year
Common Injuries of Tires:
1. Tread cut/punctured tread

2. Tread cut, IOL (injury over limit)
3. Tread separation
4. Side cut (4”)
5. Side cut, IOL (injury over limit)
6. Side cut separation
7. Shoulder cut (4”)
8. Shoulder cut, IOL (injury over limit)
9. Shoulder separation
10. Inner liner
11. Exposed ply
Scrap Tire Analysis
OTD – Original Tread Depth, mm
RTD – Remaining Tread Depth, mm
Used tread = OTD – RTD, mm
%Wear or %TUR (%Tread Utilization Ratio) – [(OTD – RTD)/OTD] x 100%
60% = Benchmark %TUR
Tread Wear Rate = Running Hours/mm or RH/(OTD-RTD)
Total Unused Peso Value = # of tires x cost of each tire x (100% - %TUR)
*Total Utilization Cost (TUC) = unit cost + repair cost x Trade Utilization Rate (TUR)
*Unrecovered cost = unit cost + repair cost – TUC

Mine Operations - Development
Development is one of the stages in mining which continues throughout the life of
a mine. It refers to the works done for openings of a mineral deposit for
commissioning of new drawpoints and access.
In underground mining, mine cannot suddenly start to produce ore and without
making a necessary development work. The major purpose of development is to
provide access to the ore deposits, permitting to have an entry for miners,
equipment, supplies, power, water and ventilation.
The following activities are done in preparing blocks, for ore extraction:
Production Lines – these are horizontal mainline excavations that are parallel to
each other, which serve as main access of mobile equipment and supplies.
Draw Cross-cuts – these are horizontal excavations or heading driven across the
production lines sometimes called as Draw drift or drilling cross – cuts.
Undercut Lines – these are horizontal excavations driven above the production
lines from which fan holes drilling and undercutting takes place to
Induce the block to cave.
Pilot Raises – these are vertical opening driven to serves as free face for the fan
hole blasting at the trenches. These openings could be driven either vertical or
inclined.
Fan Hole Drilling – long hole drilling at the trenches and for undercut where in
this hole are blasted to create a draw hole or the trench or to induce caving at the
undercut.
Rock Supports – these are accessories being applied on the rock for stabilization
purposes. Include herewith are, rockbolts, cablebolts, wire mesh, shotcrete, steel
set, concrete, cable strap and tendon straps.

Undercutting – this activity refers to the blasting of rings of long holes designed
to induce the caving of a certain block. It includes trench and ITH blasting.
Dimensions of the Horizontal Drivings:
Drivings Standard Size (W x H)

Draw Crosscuts 3.5m x 3.0m
Undercut Lines 3.5m x 3.5m
Ventilation Drifts 3.5m x 3.5m
Drilling Drifts 3.5m x 3.5m
Production Lines 4m x 3.5m
Access Ramp from PL to UCL 4m x 3.5m
Conveyor Drift 4m x 5m
LPT Access 5m x 4m
Dimensions of Vertical Drivings:
Drivings Standard Size in Diameter ϴ
Drain Raise 2m
Slot Raise 2m
Pilot Raise 2.5m
Access Manway 2.5m
LTR/STR 3m
Ventilation Raise 3m
Rock Bolt Installation
Drivings # of Bolts
Draw Crosscuts 7 bolts

Undercut Lines 7 bolts

Ventilation Drifts 7 bolts
Drilling Drifts 7 bolts
Production Lines 9 bolts
Access Ramp from PL to UCL 9 bolts
Conveyor Drift 11 bolts
LPT Access 11 bolts
Number of Cemextra per 7ft Rock Bolt
Bit Diameter Automatic Roof Bolter Jackleg

38mm 12 Cartridges 10 Cartridges
41mm 15 Cartridges ----------------
Flow of the UG Development
A. Horizontal and Vertical Driving
Methods in Driving Vertical Headings:
Conventional Raise Driving – It consists of utilizing timber and wooden ladders as

platforms for short raise while in the long raise, the chute and manway system of
advancing is employed.
Alimak Raise Driving – It is mostly used in long and vertical or inclined raising. The
Alimak which is commonly called “the raise climber”, consists of hoist with working
platform having a rack or pinion drive. It travels along a monorail with pin rack and
integrated pipes for air/water and is bolted to the wall of the raise.
Methods in Driving Horizontal Headings:

Face Driving – is the driving of horizontal drives such as the production lines, draw
crosscuts and undercut lines. It is done by drilling blasting holes by a jumbo drill to the
face and blasts it then advance.
B. Rock Support Installation
Rock Support Installation Sequence and Development Headings:
Openings within Fault Zones:
1. Initial shotcrete (with synthetic fibers or install 4” mesh)

2. Rock bolt (1.0m x 4.0m spacing)
3. Steel set (15m advance for PL’s and 10m for DXC’s)
4. Construct concrete support by following the steps:
5. Steel set installation
6. Dowel installation
7. Steel reinforcing/matting
8. Forming/pouring
9. Dismantling of forms
Openings outside Fault Zones:

2. Initial shotcrete (2” thick)
3. Wire mesh/cyclone wire
4. Final rock bolt (place in between initial rock bolts)
5. Cable bolt (2.0m x 2.0m spacing)
6. Final shotcrete (2” thick)
Note: In addition for areas that shotcrete with synthetic fibers will be used in lieu of
wire mesh, the following will the sequences:

2. Initial shotcrete using synthetic fibers (3” thick)
3. Cable bolt

4. Final shotcrete
C. Fanhole Drilling
It is a long hole drilling at the trenches and for undercut where the holes are
blasted to create a draw hole or the trench or to induce caving at the undercut.
D. Trench Excavation
Trenches must only be opened up after steel set and concreting of draw points
or additional supports during the development of the draw post.
E. Undercutting
This is the last activity in the development wherein the rings of long holes are
being blasted to induce the caving of a certain block. It includes trench and ITH
blasting.
Company Standard used in U/G
1. Timbering
Sizes of log used: 6” x 8” x 10’; 6” x 8” x 12’; 3” x 8” x 10’
2. Vertical Driving/Pilot Raising
Equipment used: Alimak/Jackleg
3. Horizontal Driving
Equipment used: Jumbo Drill Machine
Size of rod: 12ft.
Size of bit: 45mm.

Penetration rate: 2 minutes per hole
4. Shotcreting
Equipment used: Variomec (concrete mixer); Spraymec, Putzmeister (shotcrete

machine)
Wet mix: accelerator (MEYCO SA160) (4 – 5 L/mix), cement, plastic fibers
5. Fanhole Drilling
Equipment used: SOLO – B#9 Fanhole drill
Size of rod: 1.22m
No. of holes per fan: 17
Spacing: 2m
6. Concreting (Batching Plant)
Mix
Crushed Sand Cement Gravel Water
Purpose
(kg) (kg) (kg) (Liter)
Grouting (for cable bolting) 1,500 480 - 175
Pouring with gravel (for steel
1,200 480 380 1000
setting)
Shotcreting with plasticizer
1,350 400 - 800
(Glenium)
7. Steel Setting
Advances: 15m for PL’s and 10m for DXC’s

8. Loading and Blasting
Explosive used: Senatel Magnum Dynamite (for pilot raising and face drilling)
Excel Detonator Firing Times
Delay No. MS Delay Time (MS) LP Delay Time (MS) J-Hook Color
0 0 25 Dark Green
1 25 200 Red
2 50 400 Pink
3 75 600 Tan
4 100 1000 Orange
5 125 1400 Cream
6 150 1800 Yellow
7 175 2400 Lime
8 200 3000 Light Green
9 250 3800 Green
10 300 4600 Aqua
11 350 5500 Light Blue
12 400 6400 Blue
13 450 7400 Mauve
14 500 8500 Purple
15 600 9600 Hot Pink
Surface Delay Times
Delay J-Hook Color

9 Green
17 Yellow
25 Red
42 White

65 Blue
100 Orange
125 Cream
150 Mustard
175 Lime
200 Light Green
*EXEL MS Detonators use pink tubing.
*EXEL LP Detonators use yellow tubing.
It is important that the holes should be drilled at the right location. The drilling
pattern also includes information on the lookout angle needed at the different points on
the face. Follow then the usual procedure of charging. Here is some of the drilling and
blasting patterns gathered:
Mine Operations - Production
Exploitation is the final stage of mining associated with the actual recovery of
mineral from the earth in quality. While development works is necessary continuous
throughout the life of a mine, exploitation emphasis in the mine extraction and
production.
The mine production must be give a proper consideration in the mine planning
and design especially in the selection of mining method to be use to extract the ore body
in economical and profitable manner. And also the equipment to be use, drilling and
blasting techniques, mucking and ground support to be adopted, for the continues
production and the target or projected tonnage/volume will meet. The major purpose of
mine production department is to extract and recover quantity of minerals from the ore
body.

This department has the following objectives and functions:
A. To extract ore and deliver it into the overpass according to production schedule in
order to meet the required tonnage and grade and sustain feed to the mill.
B. To implement block maintenance program at various ore sources in order to
maintain the required readily available draw points and safe working
environment.
C. To coordinate with the mine mechanical and mine electrical group, regarding
preventive or repair maintenance of various production equipment and
installations to see to this optimum utilization.
D. Responsible for the safety of mine in various production activities such as
secondary blasting, timbering, high packing, LHD operation and rehandling.
Mine Ore Flow
Scooping
Rock Breaking
Ore Rehandling
Ore Crushing
Conveying

BYPASS
CB2
CONV. 1
SHORT CONV.
CONV. 6
ABON SIZER BKR 1-1
CONV. 2 BKR 2-5
MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017

840 NE MR 4
LTR MR 5
840 NE-C MR6
2-4 CRUSHER CONV. 19 BKR
ORE FLOW
867 NE-C
BKR 2-4C CONV. 17A CONV. 17B

R. 14 @ BKR 1/1A
98 ML BKR 2/3
Page 84
Common Activities of Production
Secondary Blasting or Bouldering
When properly initiated, commercial explosives are rapidly and violently converted
into gases at a very high temperature and pressures. The rapid conversion of solids and
liquids into gases is called “detonation”. The effectiveness of explosives in blasting is due
to the speed with which the gas pressure is developed. The company then provided the
appropriate explosives for the blasting of their ores. Here are of the explosives and other
materials they use:
1. Powergel, 25mm x 300mm

2. Powergel, 32mm x 300mm
3. ANFO
4. Ordinary Blasting Cap (OBC) with safety fuse
5. Netex Detonator Fuse, 5g
6. Cordtex Detonator Fuse, 10g

7. Bamboo chute
8. Abacca twine
9. Fuse knife
10. Match
11. Placard
12. Whistles
Method Used in Secondary Blasting:
1. High Packing Method
It is employed in bringing down hang-up or clogged large or blocks at the

undercut level or within finger raise column. This method is used by providing a
series of wooden ladders to reach clogged fragments. The supported large blocks of
ore are drilled and blasted. This activity is undertaken by highly skilled miners and is
supervised to strictly implement the SOP’s.
2. Blasting Stick Method
The method is used to bring hang-up at the undercut level or above the brow
of the draw point. A considerable amount of ANFO in plastic cartridge and dynamite
stick are tied around the end of the stick or pole. It is then wedged in between the
large blocks of ore. Initiation is done at the slusher line through detonating cord. The
strong shock which is generated by the blast will either bring down or break the
large boulders.
3. Pop-Hole Drilling or Bouldering
Clogged boulders are drilled by the pneumatic drills and the drill holes are
charged with explosives.
4. Mud Capping

Considerable amount of explosives are plastered over large boulders with

mud/clay. This amount is also done at the slusher lines to break the ore fragments
into smaller sizes that can pass through the grizzly.
Rock Breaking
Equipment used: Rock Breaker Machine
Basic parts: hoist, dipper, tilt, swing, breaker stick/fire
Ore Extraction/Scooping/LHD Operation
Equipment used: LHD’s
Cycle time: 165 seconds
Distance between grizzly and LHD: 1m
Contractor: BBF, Vanos
Bucket Factor of LHD Units
LHD Units
TORO TORO
ST ST TORO
No. of 450D/TORO 007/LH
7.5 1000/1010/1030 300D/301D
Bucket 1250 410
Counts Bucket Factor at 90% Fill Factor
8.33 7.50 7.20 5.99 4.51
MT MT MT MT MT
1 8 8 7 6 5
2 17 15 14 12 9
3 25 23 22 18 14
4 33 30 29 24 18
5 42 38 36 30 23

6 50 45 43 36 27
7 58 53 50 42 32
8 67 60 58 48 36
9 75 68 65 54 41
10 83 75 72 60 45
11 92 83 79 66 50
12 100 90 86 72 54
13 108 98 94 78 59
14 117 105 101 84 63
15 125 113 108 90 68
16 133 120 115 96 72
17 142 128 122 102 77
18 150 135 130 108 81
19 158 143 137 114 86
20 167 150 144 120 90
21 175 158 151 126 95
22 183 165 158 132 99
23 192 173 166 138 104
24 200 180 173 144 108
25 208 188 180 150 113
26 217 195 187 156 117
27 225 203 194 162 122
28 233 210 202 168 126
29 242 218 209 174 131
30 250 225 216 180 135
31 258 233 223 186 140
32 267 240 230 192 144
33 275 248 238 198 149
34 283 255 245 204 153

35 292 263 252 210 158

36 300 270 259 216 162
37 308 278 266 222 167
38 317 285 274 228 171
39 325 293 281 234 176
40 333 300 288 240 180
41 342 308 295 246 185
42 350 315 302 252 189
43 358 323 310 258 194
44 367 330 317 264 198
45 375 338 324 270 203
46 383 345 331 276 207
47 392 353 338 282 212
48 400 360 346 288 216
49 408 368 353 294 221
50 417 375 360 300 226
Production and Average Ore Grade
Philex Mining Corporation has a daily production of 26,000 MT per day with an
average grade of 0.28% Cu and 0.674g Au/ton. Sources of ore tonnage came from 908
ML. The average concentrate produced is 24-27% Cu and 30-64g Au/ton. The ore is
drawn by the action of gravity at 908 ML and then using LHD equipment or scoop trams
and transported through transfer raises to 782 ML where CHC takes off towards the
dump bin which is 2.7 km away from the orebody.
Ventilation Section

It is the objective of this section to ensure the feasible working condition of

exhaust system and to ensure the good airflow within the mine. At the same time,
disposal of contaminated and toxic air in the underground work area is undertaken.
A major concern in the underground is the availability of good air. Existences of
large amount of particulates, trapped toxic gases, are some of the concerns which may
cause health issues to the workers. With proper ventilation not only the health is
safeguarded but also improves and offers a healthy working condition for better
productivity.
Philex has undertaken this task by taking in air thru intake airways and expels
used and contaminated air thru exhaust airway. But then again, some areas where fumes
and dust are at extreme level, respirators are strictly implemented and used.
In order to maintain a standard of good ‛atmosphere’, a ventilation survey is done
to check the efficiency of the ventilation system. Air volume intake and exhaust are
checked regularly. Pressure, dust survey, and gas are also conducted as part of the
ventilation survey program.
Mine Ventilation System – an arrangement of airway networks in a mine together with
pressure sources and control, which produce and govern
airflow.
UG Main Intake UG Main Exhaust

Bumolo Portal II Bumolo Portal I
CHC Gallery 1170 ML Tunnel B
1020 access 1015 Counter Haulage 1
1170 ML Tunnel A 1015 Counter Haulage 2
908 shaft access 745 ML
Monthly Air Volume Survey

Summary of May 2010 Air Volume Intake Requirement, Main Air Intake, Main Booster
Exhaust and Final Main Exhaust Air
1. Air Volume Intake Requirement
Area – ML Required, cfm Actual, cfm Difference

1015 ML – Batching Plant 10,600 16,642 6,042
908 ML/890 ML/UCL 192,800 197,770 4,970
840 ML 91,220 106,420 15,200
782 ML/UCL 188,810 194,568.81 5,759
773 ML/745 ML 242,060 243,450 1,390
Total 725,490 758,851 33,361
2. Underground Air Intake, Booster Exhaust, and Final Exhaust
2.1 Table for Main Intake Air
Area, Air Velocity,

Location (Source) Air Volume, cfm
ft2 ft/min
1. 1020 ML GCH Shaft Access 72 928 66,816.00
2. 1020 ML Ring Drift (to 1015
53.00 314 16,642.00
Batching Plant)

3. Fringe Drift #1, 908 ML 172.00 567.00 97,524.00

4. Fringe Drift #2, 908 ML 87.35 372.00 32,494.20
5. South Block Access Bypass, 908
295.86 229.00 67,751.94
ML
6. Fringe Drift #1, 840 ML 187.00 211 39,457.00
7. Fringe Drift #2, 840 ML 221.00 303 66,963
8. Main Access to PL5, 782 ML
242.49 341 82,689.09
from 791 ML Ramp
9. Ramp up to PL6, 782 ML from
212.37 0 0
773 ML
10. 2-4 Ramp from 773 ML 206.04 543 111,879.72
11. Thompson Shaft Station, 791
64.00 147 9,408.00
ML
12. CHC Tunnel 200.00 992 198,400.00
13. 745 ML Tunnel after GCH Shaft 73.33 1,433 105,081.89
2.2 Table for Main Booster Exhaust Air
Air
Projected Area, Air Volume,
Location/Level Unit/Hp Velocity,
Vol., cfm ft2 cfm
ft/min
1.CPR, 890 ML 1x200 172,000 248.52 703.00 174,709.56
2. NE, 890 ML 2x200 172,000 193.65 1,106.00 214,176.90
3. 4-7 Exhaust, 2x200 86,000 131.79 298.00 39,273.42

840 ML
4. 4-4B Exhaust,
2x75 50,000 221.00 118.00 26,078.00
840 ML
5. 4-7 Exhaust,
2x200 172,000 166.54 1,396.00 232,489.84
773 ML
Total 686,727.72
2.3 Table for Final Main Exhaust Air
Air
Projected Area, Air Volume,
Location/Level Unit/Hp Velocity,
Vol., cfm ft2 cfm
ft/min
1.Bumolo #1 1x200 86,000 88 1,073 94.424.00
2. Bumolo #2 2x200 172,000 238 976 232,288.00
3. 1170 ML 1x200 86,000 72 1,388 99,936.00
4. CH-Drift #1,
1x200 86,000 102 614.00 62,5853.02
1015 ML
5. CH-Drift #2,
1x200 86,000 95 1,038 99,097.86
1015 ML
Total 516,000 588,330.88
U/G Air Requirement Computation
As of March 2010
Projected
Util.
1015 ML QTY Air Req’t. (cfm) Final Air Req’t.
Factor
Personnel 7 150 1.00 1,050.00
Trucks 2 8,500.00 0.20 3.400.00

Batching Plant 1 10,250.00 0.60 6,150.00

Sub-total 10,600
908/890/UCL
ST 7.5/TORO 6 27,700 0.60 99,720

45D/TORO 1250
ST 1030 1 30,000 0.50 15,000
TORO 301 1 18,800 0.50 9,400
Rock Breaker 7 5,000 0.60 21,000
FH/FD/RB 8 5,500 0.50 22,000
Normet 3 8,500 0.40 10,200
Personnel 100 150 1.00 15,000
Ore 80 10 0.60 480
Sub-total 192,800
840 ML
Personnel 30 150.00 1.00 4,500
Volvo/LPT
2 47,500.00 0.40 38,000
Trucks
ST 6C/TORO 007 3 23,100.00 0.40 27,720
FH/FD/RB/Cubex 5 5,500.00 0.50 13,750
4-6 A/F 1 4,000.00 0.60 2,400
Ore 100 10.00 0.60 600
Trucking 1 8,500 0.50 4,250
Sub-total 91,220
782 ML/UCL
ST 6C/TORO
6 23,100 0.60 83,160
007/LH 410
ST 1030 1 30,000 0.60 18,000
ST 7.5Z/TORO 3 27,500 0.60 49,500

450D/TORO 1250
Rock Breaker 7 5,000 0.60 21,000
FH/FD/RB 2 5,000 0.50 5,000
Personnel 75 150 1.00 11,250
Ore 150 10 0.60 900
Sub-total 188,810
773/745 ML
Cleaning LHD ST
3 23,100 0.40 27,720
6C
ST 7.5Z/TORO
3 27,500 0.50 41.250
450D/TORO 1250
Rock Breaker 7 5,000 0.50 17,500
Personnel 100 150 1.00 15,000
2-4/4-4 Crusher 2 38,300 0.40 30,640
FBC’s 1 197,500 0.50 98,750
Ore 200 10 0.60 1,200
CHC Loading Area 4 5,000 0.50 10,000
Sub-total 242,060
Total Air Requirement 725,490.00
NOTE: 150.00 cfm per person 10 cfm per ton of ore
100.00 cfm per Horsepower of any UG equipment
Use utilization factor per unit
Mine Mechanical Services Group
The Mine Mechanical Services Group is tasked to support the company operation with
utmost efficiency in terms of mechanical equipment to enable the operations group
attain their objectives.
The Mine Mechanical Service Group is subdivided further which concentrates on a

specific field:

Mine Crushing and Ore Handling Department
Mine Mobile Equipment Services Department
Mine Mechanical Related Services Department
Mine Crushing and Ore Handling Department
This section is the one responsible for curating the quantity of ore to the milling
plant and is in-charge of the maintenance of the FBC (Feeder Belt Conveyor), CHC (Cable
Hauled Conveyor) and the Crusher Plant, keeping them running and active for the
continuous flow of production.
Gathered Data about Conveyors and Crushers in the Production
Date Inclination Rated Capacity

Conveyor/Crusher Length (m)
Established (degrees) (TPH)
May 15,
FBC #1 408 10.9 6,976
1998
FBC #2 532.6 Sept. 5, 1998 8.78 8,268
Feb. 16,
FBC #4 315 2.15 12,256
2002
Feb. 18,
FBC #5 446 5.46 12,256
2007
Sept. 16,
FBC #6 171.6 10.83 8,268
1998
Nov. 14,
FBC #17A 205 Plane 6,532
2005
FBC #17B 215 Plane 6,532
Nov. 14,
FBC #18 153 10.83 6,532
2005

Short 8.1 August 2007 Plane 3,488

May 14,
By-pass 22.17 10 3,488
1998
Sacrificial 35 May 2009 6 27,500
C140
4-4 Crusher (previous April 2001 1.2kMTPH
name)
2-4 Crusher C140 April 2001 1.2kMTPH
NOTE*Tons per Hour (TPH) = (Average Amps – 70) x Operation Time x 0.90
Speed of FBCs is 3m/s and usual rated capacity is 1250 MTPH
Cable Hauled Conveyor (CHC) is powered from the drive house at the Milling Plant.
Length: 4704.4m Total length of Belt
Rated Capacity: 18,000 MTPH
Diameter of Cable Rope: 51mm
Commissioned on December 29, 1989
Speed of CHC is 3.3m/s
Underground Crushing Plant
- Crushers are intended for reducing/resizing large ores. Ore drops from a
chute then the apron feeder feeds vibrating body which consists of grizzly
bars that segregates the large ore from the finer ones, so the Large ores are
subjected to the crusher for further size reduction while the finer ore passes
through the vibrating body down to a chute where the products meet the
lands on a conveyor.

NOTE: These mechanical equipment are found at the 773 ML
Mine Mobile Equipment Services Department
This department is the one responsible for maintaining the LHDs and LPTs used for the
scooping and hauling of ore in the mine operations. MMRSD provides total quality
maintenance services towards production goals.

Picture Below shows the common parts of the LHD Bucket
Mine Mechanical Related Services Department
The main function of this department is to maintain the rock breakers, hoists, air
compressor, water supplies and development equipment. Their primary concerns is the
maintenance and health of equipment such as Rock Breakers, the 2 main Shafts, Jumbo

Drills, Transit Mixers, Slushers, Rockbolters, Fanhole Machines, Scaler, Lube truck for a
convenient and fast production and maintain efficiency of work.
Jackleg Drill bit Diameter = 39mm

Robolt Drill bit Diameter = 38mm with 8ft rod
Axera Drill bit Diameter = 45mm with 12ft rod
Fanhole Machine Drill bit Diameter = 64mmor 76mm with 28 rods which
is1.2m long each
Mine Underground Electrical Services Department
This department is primarily concerned in the proper generations and

distributions, maintaining the 69KV with 25MVA rating and provides 100% of electrical
availability of equipment. Its role is to properly distribute electricity within the mine and
the equipment, maintaining its condition, and also the department is also the one who
maintains the proper communication devices in the mine which is very vital. The
Electricity will be distributed orderly within the mine and mechanical equipment mainly
first at the 3 main stations which are at the CPR, 908 ML and 745 ML then to the 19
substations underground.
The Benguet Power Plant supplies about 27% of the operation total power needs.
The two compressed air plants also supplies 100-psi compressed air to the underground
and mill. The company’s top consuming equipment is the Blowers, Air Compressors,
Rock breakers and Drill machines, respectively.
In doing so, the department exerts continuous effort toward underground

planning, installation, maintenance and cost operation.

THE MILL DIVISION

The division is established to process the ore from the underground by

processing it systematically in every areas of the mill plant. It is also the responsibility of
the division to maintain the efficiency of the equipment they installed and monitor the
daily metallurgical operation of the plant by simply conducting sampling of the basic
parameters to control the quality of the final product. The samples are tested in advance
to determine the recovery. They also carefully dispose the mill tails in the proper
containment.
Primary Crushing Section
Coarse ore is delivered from the mine to the primary crushing plant via the cable
hauled conveyor system (CHC) at the rate of 28,000 tons a day. The ore drops to three
units of vibrating scalper each of which is atop a 2,438 mm x 6,096 mm dewatering
screen with 9.5 mm opening. The minus 9.5 mm material is currently conveyed via a
series of launders and canals to the slimes screen while the plus 9.5 mm material drops
to a 5,600-ton capacity dump bin.
Underneath the dump bin are four units of apron feeders individually feeding
four units of 762 mm x 1,067 mm jaw crushers. These jaw crushers are set at 100 mm
closed side setting. The crushed product of each jaw crusher is fed onto four parallel
conveyors each feeding to a unit of 1,524 mm x 4,877 mm washing screen with 9.5 mm
opening. The oversize is conveyed to a 30,000 T capacity coarse ore stockpile (COS)
while the undersize flows through a series of canals to the slimes screens.
There are four units of 1,524 mm x 4,877 mm slimes screens with 2 mm opening.
The last panel is however fitted with 12.7 mm screen. The minus 2 mm material, which
is considered as the primary slimes, flows and is fed to the ball mill discharge sump box
for cycloning. The minus 2.7 mm is conveyed to the fine ore bin while the oversize is
brought to the secondary/tertiary crushing section.
Part of the slime generated by the dewatering screen is fed to a bank of sieve
bends (8 units) with 2 mm opening. The oversize of the sieve bends is conveyed to the
fine ore bin (FOB) while the minus 2 mm material is fed to two units of rake classifier.

The classifier sand is combined with the sieve bend oversize and is conveyed to the fine
ore bin. The overflow of the rake classifier is fed to a cluster of hydrocyclones. The
cyclone overflow is fed to a 7 m diameter x 9 m high slime surge or conditioning tank.
These slimes are treated separately in a Wemco 164 flotation bank. The cyclone
underflow is piped to the ball mill discharge sump box.
Secondary/Tertiary Crushing Section
From the COS, the ore is withdrawn and conveyed to a 675 T capacity surge bin.
From this bin, the ore is then fed to three units of 1,676 mm standard cone crushers
used for secondary crushing. The secondary crushers are set at 38 mm closed side
setting. The crusher product is conveyed to a 2,800 T capacity surge bin.
From this bin, the ore is withdrawn and fed to 16 units of 1,524 mm x 3,657 mm
vibrating screen with 9.5 mm opening. The oversize of the screens is fed to seven units
of 1,676 mm short head cone crushers. The tertiary crushers are set at 9.5 mm closed
side setting. The tertiary crusher product combines with that of the secondary crusher
product for screening. The setup is two vibrating screens in series with a tertiary
crusher.
The undersize of the screens is considered as the final product of the crushing
plant and must be at least 73% passing 10 mm. This is conveyed to the FOB.
Grinding Section
There nine FOB’s with an aggregate capacity of 17,000 T. From these bins the ore
is withdrawn and fed to ball mills. There are nine ball mills of varying sizes ranging from
3,510 mm x 4,270 mm to 5,030 mm x 8,230 mm. Two mills serve as spare to sustain
milling tonnage. All mills are charged with 32 – 35% steel ball loading at 45% 90mm and
55% 80 mm composition of cast steel balls. The circulating load average is around 300 –
450%.
The cyclone overflow or finished product of the grinding section is normally 60 –

65% passing 200-mesh (74 micrometers) at 1,260 – 1,320 g/l pulp density. This

material flows by gravity through four parallel trash screens before being fed to the
flotation circuit.
Flotation Section
Copper, gold, silver and sulphide minerals are separated from the waste or
gangue portion of the ore by a rougher flotation circuit which comprises of six Wemco
Smart Cells and four Wemco 164 banks, having a total volume of 1,206 m3. The rougher
concentrate produced is upgraded in a three stage cleaning circuit. The first cleaning
stage consists of 4 units of Wemco 164 with a volume of 113 m3 and the second and
third cleaning stages consist of two units Column Flotation with a total volume of 170
m3.
Tailings from the roughers are passed through parallel sluice launders to recover
mineral values in the tails before it is fed to the tailings thickeners. Recovery of the
mineral values is done daily. Rougher concentrate is piped to the first cleaner for
upgrading. The first cleaner tails is pumped back and combined with the rougher feed.
The first cleaner concentrate is pumped to the first Column Flotation serving as second
cleaner. The first Column Flotation tails drops back and combined with the rougher
concentrate which is fed to the first cleaner. The first Column Flotation concentrate is
pumped to the second Column Flotation for final upgrading and the second column tails
is recirculated back to the first column.
Chemical reagents used to recover the minerals are sodium isobutyl xanthate
(SIBX) added at a dosage rate of 25 to 30 g/t and frother added on as-required basis.
SIBX serves as the collector for the values while frother is added to stabilize the froth.
The pH is also regulated at 10 to 10.5 in the roughers and 11.5 to 12 in the

cleaners by the addition of quicklime. A milk of lime production facility handles the
addition of quicklime. The table shows the capacity of the flotation bank.

Flotation Bank Capacity
At: Optimum Flotation Time = 25 mins.
Optimum Pulp Density = 1,300 gpl
Optimum % Solids = 37
Flotation Bank’s Factor for Aeration = 17%
Total Total Total Feed Rate (tph)

Flotation Flotation Solids
% Feed
Bank Bank Effective (Total
Distribution Slurry Water
Volume Volume BM +
(m3) (m3) Slime)
Wemco A 198 164 16 189 512 323
Wemco B 198 164 16 189 512 323
Wemco C 255 212 21 245 662 417
Wemco D 255 212 21 245 662 417
Wemco
Smart 300 249 26 287 777 490
Cell
Total 1,206 1,001 100 1,155 3,125 1,970
Concentrate Handling Section
The final concentrate produced from the second column is first thickened in a
22.86 m diameter thickener before being fed to two units of 3,048 mm x 3,048 mm drum
filter. The dewatered final concentrate filter cake having a moisture content of 10 to
11% is hauled by trucks for shipment to contracted copper smelters in Japan.

Tailings Disposal and Water Handling
The final tails coming out of the rougher flotation is piped to two units of 76.2 m
diameter thickeners for water reclamation. The thickener overflow is recirculated back
to the plant as process water while the underflow flows to the tailings pond for
impoundment. Additional fresh water is also pumped from Sal-angan creek. A system for
flocculants addition is provided in case the need arises.
Mill Maintenance
The department practices “area maintenance policy”, a policy supervised by a

general foreman and coordinated planner.
The mill is subdivided into four main areas namely:
1. Primary Crushing
2. Secondary Crushing
3. Grinding
4. Flotation and Thickening Plant
The gold recovery equipment is maintained in designated area where they are installed.
Mill Engineering Section
It is responsible for all projects being undertaken in the mill plant. It is involved
in the studies being conducted from crushing through ball mill, flotation, filtering, and
thickening. They are also into procurement of mill equipment and spare parts; computes
and monitors the steel ball charges and the equipment and parts performance.

Tailings Pond
Padcal Mine Tailings Containment System
Before then, Pres. Marcos enacted a law known as Pollution Control Law in 1976.
The company started the construction of its first dam. It is composed of slurry materials
of finely ground materials of gangue minerals produced after the extraction of valuable
minerals.
From the Banget mill which is 27 km long tailings tunnel and received by three
parallel 16 inches diameter pipelines of about 4 km long. Before discharging the
containment area or the main dam, the slurry passes through a cyclone to separate the
coarse sands from the fines or slimes. The coarse sand is conveyed downstream to build
the dikes supporting the main dam. The fines are deposited at the main dam where the
process of decantation takes place such that only clean water is released through the
penstocks to join the receiving body of water, in this case, the Balog River which is a
tributary of the Agno River. The effluent is monitored from its total suspended solids
and heavy metals as prescribed in the DENR AO#35 series 1990. The PMC has
constructed three impounding dams.
The construction of Tailings Dam No.1 began on December 1967 at a cost of

P8.633 million and was immediately put into operation in April 1971. This dam is longer
operative for tailings impounding but still is being maintained. The total metric ton
tailings impounded was about 85.2 million DMT.
Tailings Dam No.2, on the other hand, was started on July 1973 and completed
December 1981 at a cost of P37.137 million. Its operation started on the same year
where it was completed receiving an average of 50% of the mill tailings, while the other
50% remained at Tailings Dam No.1 for the continuous build-up of its Toe Dam
downstream. Tailings impounded at Dam No.2 were about 76.4 million DMT.
The construction of Tailings Dam No.3 was started in September 1983 and
became operational in April 1992. As the impounding operation progresses crest of the

main rock fill dam, its downstream supporting benches and the penstocks are being
raised to maintain the required free board. Total construction cost at dam no.3 as of
January 31, 2010 was 331 million pesos. Its impounding capacity is 142.6 million DMT
with a height of 160 meters.
The Tailings Pond
The company is very aware of its commitment to protect its environment from
the effects of pollution that it may cause due to its mining and milling operations. In this
regard, Philex has constructed three impounding dams.
The first pond as the tailings dam no.1 was completed in 1971 at a total cost of
8.8 million pesos, with a depth of 122 meters. It has ten years of its usage. Due to limited
capacity of this dam, the construction of the second dam was made. Tailings dam no. 2
was constructed between the years 1971-1981 with the total cost of 37.3 million pesos.
It had 11 years of usage from 1981-1992. The dams were being utilized continuously to
contain the mill tailings from the Banget Concentrator. With the average of milling
capacity of 27,000 DMS per day, the combine service life of the dams was only up to
1986 only. Tailings dam no.3 was designed and constructed from the year 1983 to 1995.

It has the 6.6 DMT capacities that it could accommodate. Until now, Dam no.3 is being
utilized.
Table 1 indicates the expected useful life, area, capacity, and status of Philex
Mines’ three tailings ponds.
Table 1 .Philex tailings pond, expected useful life, area, capacity, and status
Designed
Expected Surface
Tailing Pond/ Impounding
Years of Area
Dam Capacity (in Status
Useful Life (hectares
metric tons
Tailing Pond #1 10 26.16 85,259.975 Closed in 1981
Tailing Pond #2 11 28.19 72,067,331 Closed in1992
Tailing Pond #3 18-20 63.08 142,000,000 Active

III. SUMMARY OF WEEKLY ACTIVITIES






IV. COMPANY PROBLEMS
Community:
1. Water Supply – one of the greatest problems during our stay at the
company was the water supply. The water only comes at 5-6 in the
morning and evening. So, we have to be alert of the time in order to fill our
barrel to have sufficed water during the day and night.
Underground Mining Operation:
1. Workers with no proper PPEs – some workers tend to work with

no shirt on, so this action can be dangerous like when they are
working at a certain areas where LHDs usually pass, LHD drivers
may not spot them because of visibility issues and if they are not
wearing reflectorized garments then that can cause problems like
what if the worker might get pinned down by the LHD, fatality can
occur.
2. Mechanical Equipment not efficient in work – some equipment

is not working the way it should have worked because of low
efficiency and low maintenance priority.
V. OJT-TRAINEE CONCERNS
A. Things Learned During the OJT
From the four corners of our room where we took the course of Mining
Engineering through theories and imagination only. But this summer 2017, I was given
the privilege to undergo the Mine and Mill Practice at Philex. There I was able to apply
all I have learned in school but also at the same time immerse myself with the real time
operation done in the Mine.

When I first entered the community of Philex, the first thing I learned was to
adjust on the culture and the way of living of the people living in the community and also
adapt with language. I learned that in order to live in a peaceful and harmonic way like
the community, one should know how to follow the rules and regulations of the
company. I learned also to mingle with different kinds of people with different
characteristics and how to deal with them during my stay.
On the first week, I learned the history of Philex Mining Corporation. I got to
know the people behind the success and the present outstanding management of the
company. I was oriented on the different divisions both in mine and Mill. Their different
functions and significance both to the community and the mine operations were also
discussed. We were given an overview on what will our work be like as trainees. I also
learned that SAFETY should always be a priority. One’s safety is everyone’s
responsibility. One should have presence of mind and focus in doing his job. There
should be no horse playing in order to avoid accidents and loss.
As we tour in the Tailings Storage Facility, Underground and Surface. They

showed us the different working areas and the specific departments assigned for every
specific job. We were able to observe the different structures, places, equipment and
environment that mining engineers will be exposed with. They taught us the link
between the surface and underground operations.
On the working proper, we were assigned to different departments under the

Mine and Mill division. We were mixed with students coming from different schools. I
learned to mingle with other people of different personalities. Along the way I was able
to understand more of each department’s functions. Each department is significant for
the success of the mine operations. In order to reach the target production, each
department should help hand in hand to have a successful operation.
I learned that a mining engineer’s job is never an easy task thus we should treat
our work and co-workers with respect. We are risking our lives for our family and
nation. Thus, one should work with dedication and patience. We are a great contributor
to our industry. We help provide the needs of the people and the society.

B. Ways to Improve the OJT Program
1. Better coordination between the departments

2. It is good that the trainees were allowed to experience things that they
must experience while working in the mine but SOP’s should not be
taken for granted because of the hazards that the trainees will be
exposed to.
3. Strict implementation of safety rules

4. Should be strict regarding the attendance of the trainees
5. Provide a clear and fixed schedule of the daily assignments so that
students would really take benefits every hour of their stay in the
company.
6. Trainees should cooperate well with the company regarding its safety
rules and regulation.
VI. OVER-ALL COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, AND

RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the training which the trainee had experienced, he frankly recommends
the following to the company:
 To give trainees the ensued assignments before they start their duties.
Based on the trainees’ observation, some supervisors, and foremen
seemed unprepared on what to do. The students then tend to get bored
and wait without any accomplished work until the training is over.
 To have random alcohol test for workers because some workers come to
work intoxicated and that can affect the production or maybe the cause to
some fatalities.

 To be stricter in implementing the “No Smoking” policy underground.

Some workers are caught smoking near areas where explosives are
stored.
 To strictly implement wearing of complete PPEs
 Improve maintenance services for mechanical equipment.
 Better coordination with other departments. Some information discussed
is not the same as what other departments are saying. It should be
consistent as not to confuse the trainees which is really which.
VII. APPENDIX
Personal Data
Name : Alwyn Dave G. Hinayon

Permanent Address : Blk 7 Lot 9, Deca Homes 2, Dumlog, Talisay City, Cebu
Contact No. : 09222154244
Date of Birth : April 6, 1997
Age : 20
Citizenship : Filipino
Civil Status : Single
Religion : Roman Catholic
Father’s Name : Alwin Jose Y. Hinayon
Mother’s Name : Elvira G. Hinayon
Educational Background
Elementary : St. Thomas Aquinas School - Montessori
Secondary : St. Scholastica’s Academy - Tabunok
Tertiary : Cebu Institute of Technology - University

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CEBU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Mining Engineering Department

Summer Mine and Mill Practice

Philex Mining Corporation

Engr. Osita L. Catipay

Chair - Mining Engineering Department

Dear Engr. Catipay:

Alwyn Dave G. Hinayon

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 2

Part I – THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 3

Sto. Tomas II Ore Deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part II – COMPANY DIVISIONS AND DEPARTMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Safety Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 4

Mine Operations - Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mine Mechanical Services Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Mill Division . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 5

Part III - SUMMARY OF WEEKLY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 6

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the following persons, because

To Engr. Armando L. Malicse, for sharing his knowledge on Structural Geology.

To Engr. Felix T. Timbal, for enlightening us the importance of safety in Mining

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 7

To the Mentors, Managers, Superintendents, and Supervisors, thank you for

To my co-OJT trainees of summer 2017 whom I have shared laughters,

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 8

To everyone that was a part of my experience. THANK YOU.

OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT

To impart knowledge to the interested readers especially the Mining Engineering

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 9

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 10

Mine and Mill Practice is a pre-requisite subject in compliance of the Bachelor of

In order to share our experiences especially to the Mining Engineering students

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 11

Address: Padcal, Tuba, Benguet

Telephone Number: (0943) 516 2718

Fax Number: 634 4441

Company Classification: Mining Company

Year Incorporated: 1955

Year Operation Started: 1958

Location of Mill Plant: Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet

Name of Orebody: Sto. Tomas II Orebody

Type of Mineralization: Porphyry Copper

Products: Copper (main), Gold and Silver (by-products)

Mining Method: Fully Mechanized Multi-lift Conventional Underground Block Caving

Market: Pasar, Leyte/Centrotrade, Japan

Production Rate: 27,500 MT per day

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 12

Philex Mining Corporation

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 13

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 14

The Philex Management is totally committed to the protection of its environment

PHYSIOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 15

DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND STAFF

Eulalio B. Austin, Jr.

Barbara Anne C. Migallos

Emilio S. De Quiros, Jr.

Oscar J. Hilado (Independent)

Wilfredo A. Paras (Independent)

MINE AND MILL SUMMER PRACTICE 2017 Page 16

Marilyn A. Victorio – Aquino