A high-level Philippine mining delegation was in Shanghai on July 29 for the one-day Philippine Mining Investment Forum held at the Hua Ting Hotel & Towers.

The investment forum brought together Philippine and Chinese mining companies aimed at establishing business relations for possible joint venture projects.

Philippine Consul General Rowena Mendoza Sanchez emphasized the critical role of all sectors in investments promotion and strong linkages with China's relevant organizations.

"Philippine private-public partnership is strong and vibrant in China as evident by this event. Philippine Foreign Service posts in China are working closely with China-based Philippine companies to develop solid business partnerships in our two countries," she said.

China Mining Association Vice Chairman Fan Zhiquan welcomed the holding of the investment forum and stated that Chinese enterprises have realized that importance of the mining industry for China's economic development and are therefore interested in cooperating with the international mining industry.

In fact, he said that in 2009 up to June 2010, the China Mining Association inspected 11 Philippine mining projects worth US$600 million dollars that Chinese enterprises want to invest in.

"China Mining Association is willing to provide good service for the Chinese and Philippines mining companies," the Vice Chairman added.

Chamber of Mines President Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez discussed the country's mineral resources and how these resources can be tapped and transformed into wealth, highlighting large investments already made by global mining companies.

Mr. Romualdez also provided the prospective Chinese investors a walk-through on how to invest in mining projects in the Philippines.

Top-level officials from leading Philippine mining companies presented their respective mining projects.

These include the Carmen Copper Project of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation, Benguet Corporation's gold and nickel projects in Benguet and Zambales, Nickel Asia Corporation's various nickel mining and processing projects, Philex Mining Corporation's gold and copper operations and exploration activities, and TVI Resource Development (Phils)'s copper project in Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao.

Business matching sessions and meetings were likewise undertaken where Philippine mining officials networked and discuss with their Chinese counterparts their respective projects and investment requirements in depth.

The investment forum was organized by the Philippine Organizing Committee for the Shanghai World Expo 2010, Department of Trade and Industry and the Consulate General and sponsored by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines.

It was supported by the China Mining Association, Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board and the Jiangsu, Shanghai, Pudong, and Wuxi Sub-councils of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

This investment forum concludes the Mining Month of July at the Philippine Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

A photo exhibit of mining operations in the Philippines has been displayed at the Pavillion, and complemented by an audio visual presentation highlighting the operations of participating Philippine companies.