Mineral Resource Information Series No.

IRON

Lands Geological Survey Division

Mines and Geosciences Bureau
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Quezon City
August 2004
INTRODUCTION

Iron (Fe) is a lustrous, ductile, malleable, silver-gray metal. It is strongly attracted by a

magnet and is itself easily magnetized. Iron is the fourth most common element in the
earth’s crust and the second most abundant metallic element, of which it constitutes
about 5% by weight. It is believed to be the major component of the earth’s core.
Naturally occurring iron is found mainly as minerals of iron oxide.

The principal iron minerals are hematite (ferric oxide, Fe2O3), magnetite (ferrous-ferric
oxide, Fe3O4), limonite (ferric oxide trihydrate, Fe2O3.3H2O), goethite (FeO.OH), and
siderite (ferrous carbonate, FeCO3). Hematite has a common reddish-brown to black
color and dull in earthy varieties. Red earthy variety is known as the red ocher while the
metallic one is known as specularite. Magnetite, on the other hand is characterized
chiefly by its strong magnetism and may act as a natural magnet, known as lodestone. It
exhibits iron black color, metallic luster and black streak. Presence of iron in a rock can
be deduced from the red, yellow and brown coloration it imparts to the rocks.

Iron is about 5 times heavier than water, having a relative density of 5.2. When iron is
exposed to the air it starts to turn back into iron oxide and the red powder that forms on
the surface of the iron is what we call rust.

GEOLOGY AND MINERALIZATION (INCLUDING OCCURRENCE

CLASSIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION)

Iron ores occur in deposits of all geological ages. The important iron districts of the
Philippines are those in Ilocos Norte, Camarines Norte, Cotabato, Nueva Viscaya,
Surigao, Cagayan Valley, Marinduque, Zamboanga, Samar, Bulacan and Davao. Figure
1 Map shows the distribution of iron deposits in the Philippines.

Philippine iron deposits are classified into: a) skarn (or contact metasomatic);
b) magnetite sand; c) laterite; d) sedimentary ; e) bog; and f) spring. The more
important ones are skarn, magnetite sand and laterites. The rest are of minor economic
significance.

Skarn

The most important iron deposits in the Philippines are of the skarn type. They occur in a
geologic setting in which limestone or calcareous sediments are intruded by a younger
intermediate to acidic pluton, the skarn being developed not far from the margins of the
intrusive contact into the metasomatized limestone/calcareous sedimentary rock. Iron in
this type of deposits occurs with other metals like gold, copper, lead, and zinc.

Iron skarn deposits occur in Luzon Central Cordillera, Southern Sierra Madre, Eastern
Bicol, Samar, Eastern Mindanao, Mindoro, Marinduque, Buruanga peninsula in Panay,

2
Cebu, Guimaras Island, southwestern Negros, Malangas-Sibuguey islands and
Daguma
range in southern Mindanao. As these deposits are always related to plutonic bodies,
their ages are reflected by the age of the related intrusive rocks responsible for skarn
formation.

Magnetite Sand

Next in economic importance are the magnetite sand deposits. This deposit type consists
of magnetite concentrations in beach and alluvial sand. Economic deposits generally
contain 15 to 30% magnetite which, when concentrated, yield about 55 to 60% Fe. The
magnetite concentrate usually contains impurities of titanium and vanadium, which
interfere with the smelting process, thus, lowering the quality of the iron ore. The value
of the magnetite concentrate is, however, enhanced when the titanium and/or vanadium
contents are high enough to produce special steel.

The most extensive magnetite sand deposits are those along the beaches of northern and
northwestern Luzon, eastern Leyte, and southwestern Negros. The deposits in Ilocos
Norte are situated inland, within sand dunes of raised beaches around Paoay Lake.
Those in Damortis, La Union extend offshore in Lingayen Bay as submerged sand dunes
rich in magnetite. In Pampanga and Bulacan, the magnetite sand deposits are in inland
alluvial flood plains. Those in Leyte occur along the eastern coast of the island from
Palo to the north to Silago to the south.

Beach sand mining remains prohibited in the Philippines with the passage of Batas
Pambansa Blg. 265 – “ An Act Prohibiting the Extraction of Gravel and Sand from
Beaches and Providing Penalties Thereof” which was approved on Nov. 13, 1982.

Laterite

The iron laterite deposits comprise the surficial 10 to 15 meters of soil over mafic and
ultramafic rocks that are exposed in more than 5% of the total land area of the
archipelago. The deposits are of two types: nickeliferous and aluminous. Those over
ultramafic rocks (e.g., dunite and peridotite) are nickeliferous, as these rocks contain
significant amounts of nickel that develop into silicate nickel ore (garnierite) upon
weathering. Those over mafic rocks (e.g., gabbro and basalt) are high in alumina
(Al2O3), and where iron diminishes at depth in the soil profile, bauxite or bauxitic clay
forms.

The major nickeliferous laterite iron deposits are in northern Sierra Madre, Zambales
Range, Mindoro, Sibuyan Island, southern Samar, southern Palawan, Dinagat Island
Group, northern Surigao, Pujada peninsula and Tawi-Tawi Island.

The only aluminous laterite iron deposits that have been explored are those in Bucas
Grande and Siargao islands in Surigao del Norte Province

Sedimentary or Bedded

3
 Sedimentary iron deposits are in the form of layers of hematite and/or magnetite
interbedded with sediments. The only two known deposits are in Camalaniugan, Cagayan
and Tinambac, Camarines Sur. The former is associated with Pliocene to Pleistocene
clastics with hematite and magnetite as ore minerals. The Tinambac deposit, on the other
hand, is associated with Cretaceous greywackes and spilitic lavas with hematite and
minor magnetite and pyrolusite as ore minerals.

Sedimentary Bog

Limonitic bog iron ores occur in small low-grade deposits with much manganese,
phosphorus, water, clay, and other impurities. Bacterial action causes the precipitation of
ferric oxides and hydroxides from the breakdown of humic iron complexes and ferrous
bicarbonate. Supplies of iron are transported to the bog waters by streams and springs. At
present, bog ores are of very minor economic significance. At least one relatively
important bog iron sedimentary deposit occurs in the Philippines, that of Taan, Nueva
Vizcaya.

Spring

Spring iron deposits are considered to have originated as spring emanations in

Quaternary volcanic terranes. These have been identified in at least three localities: 1)
Pan de Azucar Island, Iloilo; 2) Binalbagan, Negros Occidental; and 3) Landayao Tupi,
Cotabato . The Pan de Azucar and Binalbagan deposits are mainly limonite crust and
boulder coating exhibiting colloidal texture like crustiform banding and botryoidal
texture. On the other hand, the Landayao deposits are principally goethite and hematite
associated with highly silicified andesite and jasperoid. Colloidal textures are present in
both massive crust and jasperoid breccia fillings.

Typical examples of the various iron deposit types are listed in Table1.

Type of Operator Location Geology Mineralization Ore Reserves

Deposit Mineralogy
Skarn
Deposits

a. Larap Under Geographical The oldest rock The mineralized Primary In 1971 Ore reserves
Iron-Copper- receivership name: Bgy. suite and host to zones are mostly in minerals: totaled
Molybdenum of the Phil. Larap, Jose iron-base metal replaced calcareous Chalcopyrite, 49,387,000 MT
skarn government Panganiban, mineralization bedding horizons molybdenite, of 25.7%
deposit Camarines consists of the and localize along magnetite, magnetic Fe,
Norte metamorphosed contacts of the pyrite, of which
interbedded marls, metavolcanic and uraninite. 20,817,000 MT
Central calcareous shales, metasedimentary High grade of 26.1%
geographic arkoses, rocks with the ores consists magnetic Fe
coordinates: graywackes, granodiorite/ mainly of was
14°15’N and sandstones and monzonite bodies. magnetite considered
122°39’ conglomerates of Folds, faults, and with little or minable. In
the Early Miocene shear-joint planes no pyrite and addition, the
age Universal have acted as other sulfide estimated
Formation. Capping channelways for minerals. copper-
this formation are ascending ore molybdenum
andesite-basalt solutions that Gangue ore reserves
flows, tuffs and flow selectively minerals: was 19.2
4
 breccias. Swarms metasomatized Garnet, million MT of
of granodioritic / calcareous beds. pyroxene, 0.225% Cu
monzonitic dikes, The orebody, as epidote, and 0.029%
believed to be of exposed in the amphibole, Mo as inferred
Late Miocene age, Bessemer pit, calcite, ore. As of
are probably related trends north-south. chlorite and 1982,
to a diorite stock It consists of lenses apatite. remaining
southwest of the ranging in thickness positive and
main orebody. from 8 to 25m probable ore
following bedding reserves
planes. totaled
12,589,974 MT
with 10% Fe,
0.29% Cu,
0.04% Mo and
3% S.

b. Sta.Ines Santa Ines Geographical Paleogene The Santa Ines iron Primary Ore reserves
iron-skarn Iron and Steel name: Bgy. basement rocks skarn deposit is minerals: totaled
deposit Corporation Santa Ines, consisting of related to the Santa Recognized in 33,490,380 MT
Antipolo, Rizal limestone, Ines diorite stock. the order of of beneficiating
graywacke and Mineralization decreasing ore averaging
Central shale associated occurs between the abundance 32-33% Fe as
geographic with basic flows are contact of the are magnetite,
coordinates: unconformably diorite and the magnetite, about 0.098%
14°46’ N, overlain by Miocene intruded older pyrite, Cu as
121°19’ E calcareous calcareous pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite
sediments This sedimentary rocks. and and 2-3% S.
sequence is The main deposit chalcopyrite. Additional
intruded by a probably represents Minor 12,000,000 MT
Middle Miocene a large inclusion of specularite is of ore of the
pluton, the Sta. Ines limestone within the present in same tenor
Diorite, responsible diorite stock. fresh ore. may be
for the metasomatic The limestone Secondary extracted in
mineralization of inclusion has been minerals: the area.
favorable thoroughly replaced Hematite and
calcareous beds. by magnetite-sulfide limonite are
Post-Middle ores, where the seen on
Miocene basaltic to accompanying surface
andesitic dikes clastics were barely exposures.
intrude the older involved. The clastic Gangue
formations while mass is roof minerals :
Recent alluvial pendant as it is Primarily
material and debris totally surrounded calcite,
occupy river banks by the Sta. Ines epidote and
and ridge slopes diorite. Within this garnet in
clastic sedimentary roughly equal
inclusion, some proportion.
thin-bedded Quartz is a
sections show minor
selective but component
incomplete while chlorite
replacement by and vug-filling
magnetite, epidote fibrous
and garnet. The amphibole
main deposit is a occur
large lens-like mass sparingly with
oriented along a some clay
NW-SE strike with a minerals.
Sphene,
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 steep dip to the Sphene,
northeast. The zeolite,
widest dimension apatite, and
across the ore body biotite are
is 312 m, measured recognized in
from an exploratory thin section.
adit at the 560 level.

c. Lamin Ilocandia Iron Geographical Basement rocks The deposit is Primary Possible ore
iron-skarn and Smelting name: Bgy. consist of: (i) basal restricted in a mineral: reserve of
deposit Incorporated Lammin, Carasi, basic volcanic horizon of Magnetite 796,316 MT at
in 1978 (to be Ilocos Norte flows, pyroclastic intercalated 58% Fe
verified) rocks (basaltic lithic sedimentary rocks, Secondary average and
Central tuff and lapilli tuff) limestone, volcanic mineral: probable
geographic and sedimentary flows and Hematite reserve of
coordinates: units (ferruginous pyroclastics (found in the 1,368,931 MT
8°15’N, sandstone, shale, intruded by dioritic surface of at 58% Fe
120°53’E chert, and pluton of Oligocene deposits and average
conglomerate) of age. along shear
inferred The iron skarn zones).
Cretaceous- deposit is located
Paleogene age; approximately at Gangue
(ii) andesitic flows 1010m elevation minerals:
intercalated with along the slope of a Calcite,
andesitic tuff to northeast trending quartz,
volcanic breccia, ridge. Mineralization epidote,
sandstone, shale belt trends chlorite,
and limestone; (iii) northeast and dips garnet,
dacite flows 25°- 60° to the wollastonite,
intercalated with northwest. Strike clay, minor
dacitic tuff, length is 1,750 pyroxene,
sandstone,shale meters. Outcrop sphene,
and limestone. Lens thickness swells up apatite.
type skarn-iron to 15 meters and
minerals are pinches to less than
localized in favored a meter.
horizons in the
sedimentary units.
Diorite and quartz
diorite stocks,
dikes, and sills of
Oligocene age
intrude the older
rock sequences.
Basaltic to andesitic
dikes and sills are
believed to be later
members of this
intrusive unit.
Truncating the older
rock units is an
Early Miocene
coralline limestone.

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Magnetite Geographical The coast from Sta. Magnetite comes Primary Recoverable
Sand name: Cruz to Tagudin is from the erosion of mineral: magnetite
deposits Sta. Cruz to characterized by older rock units in Titano- based on 1.5
Tagudin, Ilocos numerous sand the Central magnetite. and 1.0 m
Sta. Cruz Sur and Agoo, dunes that extend Cordillera. Together drillholes in
and Agoo La Union from 50 to 200 with other minerals, Sta. Cruz and
magnetite meters from the they are carried by Agoo,
sand shoreline while the fluviatile action to respectively, is
deposits Central Agoo coast has a the coast, where calculated at
geographic more subdued magnetite alluvial 4,207,700 MT
coordinates: topography except material is dumped
Sta. Cruz: for a maximum rise and magnetite is
17°25’00” N, of a meter near the enriched primarily
120°25’00” E shoreline. The by wave action and
beach sand is fine partly by winnowing
Agoo, La Union: to medium-grained. wind action. The
17°07’30”N, Magnetite occurs total thickness of
120°20’00”E either as grains the magnetite-
disseminated with bearing sand is
other alluvial unknown, as
minerals in the sand geological
or within distinct investigations were
layers that are sub- limited to 1 up to
centimeter to 2 cm 2.8 meters depth.
thick. These coastal
areas are underlain
by clastic
sedimentary rocks
of Upper Miocene –
Pleistocene age.

Laterite iron
deposits

Laterite iron The The reservation The reservation is The laterite iron Limonite is Ore reserves
deposits of reservation is comprises the underlain chiefly by deposits are the chief thus identified
the Surigao currently central eastern metavolcanics, residual products of constituent of are 1.0 billion
Mineral parceled into portion of metasediments and chemical the laterite MT of 47% Fe
Reservations different Surigao serpentinized weathering of iron ore while for Parcel I in
claims to peninsula peridotite. The serpentinized hematite and Surigao and
several (Parcel I) in metavolcanics and ultramafic rocks. magnetite 150 million MT
mining northeastern metasediments The nickeliferous occurs in of 47% Fe for
companies Mindanao; occur as small laterite iron deposits subordinate Nonoc island.
and southern windows in thrusted blanket a wide area amounts.
claimowners. Dinagat, Nonoc, sheets of peridotite. reaching a
Hinatuan and Diorite and gabbro thickness of 30m in
Masepelid occasionally intrude places.
islands and the peridotite. Near It is generally
lesser isles the coast are considered that
(Parcel II); Eocene and/or laterite formation
northern Oligocene accompanies
Dinagat island sediments, relative tectonic
(Parcel III); and including limestone, quiescence,
Siargao and which are generally allowing for the
Bucas Grande folded along a N-S dominance of
islands (Parcel axis. Miocene- peneplanation
IV) Pliocene andesite processes over
intrusion carried uplift and mountain
some gold-rich building.

7
 veins. Post-andesite Groundwater is
sedimentation was responsible for the
confined around removal of great
Lake Mainit and quantities of soluble
along the northern materials such as
coast of the district. silica, magnesia
Pleistocene uplift and lime and the
raised rich accumulation of
auriferous gravels less mobile
at the northern part constituents such
of the district. as iron, aluminum,
nickel, cobalt,
vanadium and
chromium.

Sedimentary Geographical The upper section The bedded iron ore Hematite and The bedded
bedded iron name: Bgy. of the Pliocene occurs within the magnetite iron ores are
deposit .Camalaniugan, Ilagan Sandstone upper portions of estimated at
Aparri, Cagayan hosts the iron the Ilagan 756,000 tons
Camalaniugan (10 km south of deposit. Overlying Sandstone, in which and the
Sedimentary Aparri this unit in probable up to a 3 m-thick recoverable
bedded iron Poblacion, unconformity is a horizon of hematite float iron ores
deposit Cagayan) flat-lying, poorly and magnetite has are estimated
consolidated been encountered at 1,125,000
Central conglomerate, in test pits. The tons with
geographic probably equivalent bedded ore appears better than
coordinates: to the Pleistocene to be an elongated 50% iron.
18°18’N, Alat Conglomerate. body with a length
121°37’E of 700 m along the
northwest trend of a
ridge with an
. average width of
120 m. The base of
the overlying
conglomerate also
contains hematite
and magnetite
boulders that are, at
places in direct
contact with beds of
similar composition
in the Ilagan
Sandstone.

8
Sedimentary Geographical The iron deposit lies The deposit formed The deposit
bog iron description: unconformably within a structural consists
deposit The deposit lies above the truncated basin that probably principally of
at the southern surface of thermally ponded into a lake. limonite with
Taan sector of Nueva metamorphosed Iron supplied into minor amount
sedimentary Vizcaya near rock sequence this basin originated of hematite.
bog iron the provincial consisting of basic from the chemical
deposit boundary of to intermediate weathering of
Quezon and volcanic flows surrounding rocks,
Nueva Ecija. It intercalated with which shows
is within the sandstone and evidence of
interior highland shale. This rock unit pyritization probably
of the Sierra was intruded by a brought about by
Madre quartz diorite stock, dioritic intrusions.
mountains. believed to be The iron ions
responsible for the probably derived
widespread from the oxidation
Central epidotization, and weathering of
geographic silicification, pyritic alteration
coordinates: pyritization and aureoles, veins and
15°38’N, chloritization of the pockets in volcanic
121°19’E meta-rocks. The rocks were
intruded rocks are transported into the
hornfelsic near the basin possibly as
intrusive contact. ferrous solutions
Hydrothermal and colloids. Iron
quartz veins are was precipitated
prevalent in the possibly due to the
area. Granodioritic combined effects of
dikes intrude the ion saturation,
quartz diorite while chemical reduction
basic dikes intrude and bacterial action.
both rock types.

Iron Deposits/Prospects in the Philippines

Region 01 Ilocos Norte

Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Nueva Era Philippine Processing 102,600.00 52.56 % Fe Stopped Operation
Corp. /(Cabitauran
Iron Project)
Paoay La Playa Mining 949,000.00 50.56 % Fe Operation

9
 Corporation Suspended
Carasi Ilocandia Iron & .
Smelting Inc./ 850,000.00 60.50 % Fe Stopped Operation
( Lammin Iron Project )
Carasi Rigid Aggregates 2,942 has APSA-000219I In Process (for
Corporation publication/posting)
Carasi Glendale Mining & 1,463 has. APSA-000223I Under Initial
Dev’t Corp. Processing

Region 01 Ilocos Sur Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Sta. Cruz Filmag (Phils.) Inc. / 2,139,780.00 58.50 % Fe Operation
(Sta. Lucia/Sta. Cruz Suspended
Iron Project)

Region 01 La Union Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Agoo Philippine Oil & Mining 2,031,400.00 60.11 % Fe Operation
Company Suspended
Region 02 Cagayan Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Sanchez Mira, Platinum Group Metals 1,992 has. APSA-000117II In Process
Abulug, Corp. (under evaluation)
Ballesteros,
Buguey, Gonzaga
Sanchez Mira, Federico Ganigan 810 has. APSA-000118II In Process
Claveria (under evaluation)
Camalaniugan Kalamazoo Mining 1,056 has. APSA-000119II Under Evaluation)
Corp.
Camalaniugan, Platinum Group Metals 2,149 has. EPA-00063II In Process
Aparri, Abulug Corp. (under evaluation)
Sanchez Mira E.M. Ramos and 2,100,000.00 53.17 % Fe Stopped Operation
Company, Inc.
Camalaniugan Elizalde & Company, 1,222,550.00 51.00 % Fe Stopped Operation
Inc.
Gonzaga Apex Exploration & 1,770,290.00 53.76 % Fe Stopped Operation
Mining Company, Inc.
Pamplona Feva Mining 11,040,000.00 60.00 % Fe Stopped Operation
Corporation

Region 03 Bulacan Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
DRT Heirs of Valentin Marias 57 has. Spanish Grant With Mines
& Maria Fernando (for verification) Operating

10
 Agreement with Far
Eastern Iron Ore
Corporation & with
pending request for
Ore Transport
Permit
DRT Oro Development Corp. 4,000,000.00/ 64.35 % Fe Under mine
442.4818 has. MLC No. MRD- development; with
509; Dec. 6, pending request for
1988 Ore Transport
Permit
DRT J and J Enterprises 1,998,400.00 62.00 % Fe Under Research
DRT
San Ildefonso Carmen de Villareal 2,000,000.00 55.52 % Fe Under Research

Region 03 Tarlac Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Mayantoc P.D. Ago Mining 153,000.00 39.50 % Fe Stopped Operation
Expl’n. Company
(Bigbiga/Mayantoc/
Burgos Iron Project)

Region 04 Rizal Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Tanay Sta. Ines Mining & Steel 33,490,380.00/ 48.86 % Fe/ Identical to expired
Corp 675 has. AMA-00136IV; MLC’s; under APT;
Sept. 12, 1994 processing
suspended

Region 04 Quezon Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Casiguran Maraveni Cons. Mines 1,427,860.00 55.00 % Fe Stopped Operation
Inc.

Region 04 Mindoro Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Abra de Ilog, Agusan Petroleum and 1,840,710.00/ 66.32 % Fe/ Under Evaluation;
Mindoro Mineral Corp./(Abra de 53,592 has. AFTA-15; covers expired
Occidental/ Ilog Iron Project) Feb. 26, 1996 MLC’s of Hercules
San Teodoro, Iron Mines; area in
Mindoro Oriental conflict with
reservation
Abra de Ilog Cattaca Mining 8,100.00 has. EXPA- In Process

11
 Exploration Company 000079IV
Abra de Ilog Longyear Mining Co., 2,600,000.00 66.32 % Fe Under Research
Incorporated
Mamburao Fernandez-Hermanos, 6,000,000.00. 55.00 % Fe Under Research
Inc./(Nagsabongan Iron
Project)
Paluan Norwegian Exploration 2,745.61 has. EXPA- In Process
(Phils.) Inc. 000080IV

Region 04 Mariduque
Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status

Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Mogpog Marinduque Iron Mines/ 287,000.00 55.35 % Fe Stopped Operation
(Magana Iron Project)

Region 04 Palawan Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Brooke’s Point Mondo Exploration 256 has. MLC’s No.: Under Operating
Corp. MRD-127 Agreement with
MRD 128 Olympic Mines and
MRD-129; Development
approved on Corporation; with
August 26, 1980 MPSA application
Brooke’s Point Atlantic City Mining 640 has. MLC No. MRD- Under Operating
Corp. 130; approved Agreement with
on August 26, Olympic Mines and
1980 Development
Corporation; with
MPSA application
(for area status and
clearance)
Bataraza Rio Tuba Nickel Mining 342 has. MLC’s No.: Under Operating
Corp. MRD-172 and Agreement with
MRD-173; Olympic Mines and
approved on Development
June 25, 1979 Corporation; with
MPSA application
(for area status and
clearance)
Bataraza Rodolfo Jamir 1,086 has. MLC No. Under Operating
MRD-174; Agreement with Rio
approved on Tuba Nickel Mining
August 17, 1979 Corp.; with MPSA
application (for
initial processing)
Bataraza Lourdes Balage 108 has. MLC No. Under Operating
MRD-175; Agreement with Rio
approved on Tuba Nickel Mining
June 25, 1979 Corp.; with MPSA
application

12
Bataraza Iluminada Martinez 648 has. MLC’s No.: Under Operating
MRD-176 and Agreement with
MRD-177; Olympic Mines and
approved on Development
August 17, 1979 Corporation; with
MPSA application
(for area status and
clearance)
Bataraza Melencio Villanueva 108 has. MLC’s No.: Under Operating
MRD-178 and Agreement with
MRD-179; Olympic Mines and
approved on development Corp.;
June 25, 1979 with MPSA
application (for area
status and clearance)
Aborlan Atlas Consolidated 6,006.24 has. MPSA- Under evaluation;
Mining & Dev’t Corp. 00536IV; lacks NCIP/PCSD
October 16, Certification
1991
Aborlan Atlas Consolidated 810 has. MPSA- Under evaluation;
Mining & Dev’t Corp. 05381IV; lacks NCIP/PCSD
October 16, Certification
1991
Puerto Princesa Benguet Corporation 2,126 has. MPSA- Covers expired
00546IV; May MLC’s; lacks area
9, 1992 status and clearance

Region 05 Camarines Norte

Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Jose Panganiban Concepcion F. Abaño 283.50 has APSA-000095V In Process
Jose Panganiban Isabelo F. Fonacier 319.70 has APSA-000097V In Process
Jose Panganiban/ United Pacific Mining & 2,652.97 has. APSA-00028IV In Process
Paracale Dev’t Corp.
Jose Panganiban Fonacier, Isabelo 1,000,000.00 57.00 % Fe Under Research
Jose Panganiban Philippine Iron Mines, 12,589,970.00 Stopped Operation
Inc.
Jose Panganiban Agusan Gold Mines, 451,380.00 Stopped Operation
Inc./ (Pinagbirayan Iron
Project)
Paracale Rodolfo N. Padrigon 829.37 has. APSA-000142V In Process
Paracale Gervil Resources Dev’t 165.82 has. APSA-000201V In Process
Corp.
Paracale Pellets Mineral 165.82 has. APSA-000304V In Process
Resources Dev’t Corp.
Capalonga Mataqui Iron Prospect 1,171,620.00 Geologically
Investigated
Labo Maraveni Cons. Mines, 1,000,000.00 57.00 % Fe Under Research
Inc.
Labo Gold Fields Phil. Corp. 972.00 has. APSA-000001V In Process
Labo Pellets Mineral 829.38 has. APSA-000306V In Process
Resources Dev’t Corp.

13
Labo Vein Venida 100,000.00 Geologically
Inc./(Napado Iron Investigated
Project)

Region 05 Camarines Sur

Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Lagonoy Hercules Iron Mines, 300,000.00 Geologically
Inc./ (Mipid Iron Investigated
Project)
Tinambac Atlas Cons. Mining & 13,000.00 52.95 % Fe Stopped Operation
Dev’t. Corp
Tinambac Tupegos Mining Corp. 1,649,300.00 50.32 % Fe Stopped Operation

Region 05 Albay Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Batan/Rapu-Rapu San Ramon Mining 17,500.00 43.33 %Fe Stopped Operation
Company/( Batan/Rapu-
Rapu Iron Project)

Region 05 Sorsogon Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Magallanes Rolando 17,000.00 40.56 % Fe Under Research
Tabuena/(Magallanes
Iron Project for SSMP)
Matnog Angelina R. Lesaca 333.96 has. EXPA-000030V In Process

Region 05 Catanduanes
Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Bagamanok Bacak/Bagatabao 63,000.00 27.50 % Fe Geologically
Prospects/(Catanduanes Investigated
Iron Project)

Region 06 Negros Occidental

Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Sipalay Gabun-Paracale Mining 44,190.00 39.59 % Fe Stopped Operation
Co., Inc
Region 07 Negros Oriental
Province

14
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Bayawan/ Inco Mining Company 6,596,070.00 17.96 % Fe Operation
Siaton Suspended
Southern Negros A.T. Ascano Mining 10,493,000.00 62.50 % Fe Under Research
Corp.

Region 08 Leyte Province

Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Abuyog/ Phil. Mineral Sands & 917,730.00 57.39 % Fe Stopped
Mc Arthur Company Operation
Tacloban City Great Pacific Mining 515,050.00 59.45 % Fe Operation
Corporation Suspended
Tolosa Inco Mining Company 40,662,560.00 17.29 % Fe Operation
Suspended

Region 09 Zamboanga del

Norte Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Lunday, Hard Rock Mineral 6,075 has. APSA-000103- Under Evaluation
Sibuco/Cuatro Trading, Inc. IX; filed: March
Ojos & Vitali, 4,2004
Zamboanga City
Mildan, Baliguian Rigid Aggregates 7,290 has. APSA-000108- Under Evaluation
& Sakong, Gutalac Corporation IX; filed April
26, 2004

Region 09 Zamboanga del

Sur Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Bayog Zambales Base Metals, 2,841,020.00 49.80 % Fe Under Research
Inc./ (Sibuguey Iron
Project)
Pagadian Surigao Cons. Mining 309,310.00 65.44 % Fe Under Research
Co., Inc.
Pulang Bato, Cebu Ore Mining and 7,290 has. EXPA- In Process (under
Bayog, Sominot, Mineral Resources Corp. 000046-IX; evaluation)
Midsalip, filed: April 12,
Zamboanga del 2004
Sur/Buug,
Zamboanga
Sibuguey
Canipay, Midsalip, Cebu Ore Mining and 8,100 has. APSA-000101- Under Evaluation
Dalagan, Bayog & Mineral Resources Corp. IX; filed
Dapara December 22,

15
 2003
Lomponid, Victor J. Yu 162 has. APSA-000102- Under Evaluation
Midsalip IX; filed January
23, 2004
Midsalip Geotechniques and 567 has. APSA-000104- Under Evaluation
Mines, Inc. IX; filed March
5, 2004
Gibalus, Midsalip, Mindanao Mining and 7,573 has. APSA-000105- Under Evaluation
Bayog & Depore Mineral Resources Corp. IX; filed March
8, 2004
Kumaralang/ Buug, Rigid Aggregates 2,430 has. APSA-000107- Under Evaluation
Zamboanga Corporation IX; filed April
Sibuguey 26, 2004

Region 12 Sarangani
Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Kiamba Hard Rock Mineral 40,000,000.00/ 60.00 % Fe/
Trading, Inc. 7,938.00 has. APSA-041-XII

Region 12 South Cotabato

Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Sagittarius Mines, Inc./ 2,000,000.00/ 54.41% Fe With inferred
Tupi (Cebuano Landayao Iron reserve; FTAA area
Project) of Sagittarius Mines,
Inc.

Region XIII/ Surigao del Norte

CARAGA Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Surigao City/ Pacific Cement 180,370.00 63.00 % Fe Producing
(Ipil/ Malimono) Corporation
Surigao City/ Hinatuan Mining Corp. 64.00 has. MLC No. Under Research
(Taganaan) 000235-XIII
Hinatuan Island, Hinatuan Mining Corp. 1,230 has. APSA- In Process
Tagana-an 000028-X; date
filed: Dec. 4,
1994
Dinagat Island Philnico Mining. & 25,000.00 has. APSA-000004- In Process
Ind’l Corp. XIII

Surigao City/ Inter-Continental 2,000,000.00 64.44 % Fe Under Research

Hinatuan Mineral Resources, Inc.
*Taganito, Claver Taganito Mining 3,278.84 has. OP-0001; date Iron in laterite as by-
(Surigao Mineral Corporation granted: Feb. 14, product of Nickel
Reservation) 1989 mining
*Cagdianao, Claver Case Const. & Dev’t 4,376 has. 007-92-X Iron in laterite as by-

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(Surigao Mineral Corp. (SMR); date product of Nickel
Reservation) granted: Feb. 14, mining
1992
Nonoc, Awasan & Philnico Mining & 25,000 has. 072-97-X Iron in laterite as by-
Hanigan (Surigao Industrial Corporation (SMR); date product of Nickel
Mineral granted: Aug. 7, mining
Reservation) 1997
Valencia, East Coast Mineral 697.048 has. 078-97-XIII Iron in laterite as by-
Cagdianao Resources Company, (SMR); date product of Nickel
(Surigao Mineral Inc. granted:Nov. 19, mining
Reservation) 1997
*Cagdianao, Claver Claver Mineral 433.98 has. 103-98-XIII Iron in laterite as by-
(Surigao Mineral Development Corp. (SMR); date product of Nickel
Reservation) granted: Feb. 23, mining
1998

Region XIII/ Surigao del Sur

CARAGA Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
*Carrascal CTP Construction & 3,564 has 018-93-X Iron in laterite as by-
(Surigao Mineral Mining Corp. (SMR); date product of Nickel
Reservation) granted: Jan. 11, mining
1993
*Carrascal CTP Construction & 321.40 has. 158-00-XIII Iron in laterite as by-
(Surigao Mineral Mining Corp. (SMR); date product of Nickel
Reservation) granted: May 2, mining
2000
*Carrascal CTP Construction & 4,547.77 has. XIII-SMR-01- Iron in laterite as by-
(Surigao Mineral Mining Corp. 2000; date product of Nickel
Reservation) granted: Jan. 26, mining
2000
Carrascal, Cantilan Cebu-Yonasho Minerals 4,352 has. APSA- 000005- In Process
trading, Inc. XIII; date
applied: June 20,
1997

Region XIII/ Agusan del Norte

CARAGA Province
Municipality Name of Contractor Total Ave. Grade/ Status
Tonnage/ Permit No./
Hectarage Application No.
Jabonga Basiana Mining 572.64 has. APSA- In Process
Exploration Corporation 000014-XIII;
date applied:
July 31, 1997

*These areas are within the Surigao Iron Ore Reservation as reported by Mr. Dean F.
Frasche (1938) of USGS, which contains an estimated iron ore resource of approximately
1,000,000,000 MT @47.00% Fe.

Philippine Iron Production

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 Year Quantity (DMT) Value (PHP)

1934 13,302
1935 310,544
1936 596,256
1937 629,894
1938 896,495
1939 1,095,066
1940 1,027,193
1941 436,149
1942-47 21,983,022
1948 18,289 21,983,022
1949 370,172 5,387,659
1950 599,095 7,633,494
1951 903,282 14,238,338
1952 1,170,350 21,983,022
1953 1,217,864 23,242,677
1954 1,424,898 24,878,184
1955 1,432,712 24,039,909
1956 1,440,232 23,201,119
1957 1,346,363 23,107,899
1958 1,098,732 19,498,822
1959 1,230,193 22,232,986
1960 1,138,770 20,706,298
1961 1,170,548 28,685,009
1962 1,386,959 43,301,501
1963 1,385,704 44,671,155
1964 1,366,922 41,009,741
1965 1,437,778 52,766,679
1967 1,477,751 56,208,647
1968 1,353,218 47,148,412
1969 1,561,466 53,684,299
1970 1,869,877 83,123,390
1971 2,250,100 102,141,080
1972 2,204,881 105,338,575
1973 2,254,556 111,197,174
1974 1,608,109 81,807,217
1975 1,351,446 90,676,929
1976 570,999 38,502,260
1977 - -
1978 1,747 270,375
1979 6,324 1,068,755
1980 - -
1981 5,746 969,419
1982 5,573 908,367
1983 2,640 520,000
1984 620
1985 390
1986 14,980 1,360,000
1987 - -
1988 - -
1989 6,520 280,000
1990 6,290 390,000
1991 7,303 474,865
1992 7,350 445,189
1993-present - -
Note: 1993 – Present no commercial iron production
Pacific Cement reported iron production for its own consumption
(Source : Mineral Economics, Information & Publication Division)

18
MARKET
19
The main bulk of the country’s iron and steel products is presently derived from
imported semis and remelted scrap.

Exports of black iron and steel sheets, tinplate, steel coils for re-rolling and others were
accomplished in 1969 and 1970.

BUYERS OF IRON FROM THE PHILIPPINES

NAME OF ADDRESS PRODUCT

COMPANY/OWNER
J & J Hardware/ Maristel 879-881 Rizal Ave., corner Scrap Iron and Steel
Campo Gomez D. Jose St., Sta. Cruz,
Manila
AM-ASIA Cosultancy and Unit 4C Unioil Center Bldg. Galvanized Iron Sheet Hvac
Trading Inc. / Melissa 1222 Acacia St. Cor. Products Flexible Ducts
Yvette Sebastian Cortez Commerce Ave., Madrigal
Business Park Ayala,
Alabang, 1780 Muntinlupa
Arrive Travel Agency / Unit 11, Cuneta Astrodome, Iron, Sand
Larry Lacanilao Villaverde Roxas Blvd. corner Derham
St., Pasay City, Philippines

Sun Rise Trading Corp. / 6545 E. Ramos St., Makati Iron Ore
Arch. Sendoko Retulla City, Philippines

Sandra C.Respall 1708 Salcedo Village, Scrap iron, iron ore,

Makati City 1227, petroleum products, jet
Philippines fuel, crude oil, D2, urea,
sugar

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