A high-level mining business mission from Australia is set to visit the Philippines in the second half of 2025. This signals renewed investment interest in the country’s mineral resources sector following the lifting of the mining moratorium in 2021.
The upcoming mission will bring together 20 to 30 Australian mining firms, which marks the first sector-specific visit focused solely on mining since the policy shift, Manila Bulletin reported. According to Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu, the initiative forms part of Australia’s broader strategy to deepen trade and investment ties with the Philippines.
“We see the Philippines as a great opportunity. There is renewed interest in mining, and we want to bring some of the best Australian companies to explore those opportunities,” Ambassador Yu said during the Mining Philippines 2025 International Conference and Exhibition.
Australia, known for its responsible and technologically advanced mining practices, is positioning its companies as potential technical partners for their Philippine counterparts. Ambassador Yu emphasized that Australian firms offer strong expertise in sustainable mining and community benefit sharing, these being key areas of concern as the Philippine government reopens the sector with a focus on environmental and social safeguards.
The planned delegation follows earlier cooperation efforts, including a March 2023 visit to Australia by Philippine officials and mining representatives. The group toured the Kalgoorlie Super Pit, one of Australia’s most iconic mining operations, to gain insights on sustainable practices and robust regulatory frameworks.
Beyond mining, Australia has been ramping up its economic engagement with the Philippines across other sectors. In 2023, two-way trade between the countries reached AUD10.2 billion, making the Philippines as Australia’s 20th-largest trading partner. Ambassador Yu noted that this growing partnership supports over 41,000 Filipino jobs and includes active business interests in agriculture, education, clean energy, cybersecurity, and the digital economy.
The strengthening of mining ties was also highlighted by a recent milestone: the awarding of the Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) copper project in the Cordillera region to Makilala Mining Company, a subsidiary of Perth-based Celsius Resources. This marks the first major Australian copper project in the Philippines in over 15 years.
Ambassador Yu confirmed that global investors are taking notice of the Philippines’ renewed direction in mining, and that Australia will continue to support opportunities for sustainable and inclusive development.
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