Retired BGen Antonio R. Lastimado, PA, PGPMI head of operations, said in a statement that they have already met in April this year government officials including Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, DTI Undersecretary and Board of Investment Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo, and officials of the Development Bank of the Philippines including DBP Director Maria Lourdes A. Arcenas and DBP President and CEO Michael O. de Jesus for initial discussions.
“These meetings served as platforms to seek guidance on how PGMPI can best support the government's vision and contribute to the growth of the Philippine processed metals and critical minerals industry,” said Lastimado. The discussions revolved around strategies to leverage PGMPI's expertise and resources to contribute measures—innovation and attracting investments, aligning its efforts with the government's objectives.
With Turkish and South Korean technical partners, PGPMI is already engaged in the rehabilitation of mine tailings in the country that are contaminated with mercury and cyanide, but the tailings still contain precious rate earth elements.