The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII took part in the 26th Annual Mining Symposium and Exhibits on September 5-7, 2019 at Malayan Colleges Mindanao in Davao City.

With the theme “It takes a mine to build a road,” the event was spearheaded by the Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers, a chapter of the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM). A considerable number of mining companies and regulatory agencies actively participated in the event where best mining practices as well as innovative products and technologies were showcased. Seven mining engineers from the MGB RO No. XIII attended the event.

The first day started with the opening of exhibits wherein mining companies exhibited their respective achievements, development initiatives, products and souvenirs. Apart from that, recreational activities were conducted in order to strengthen the camaraderie and sportsmanship among fellow engineers.

The symposium proper ensued on the second day of the event where remarkable presentations on Policy Updates from the Mine and Geosciences Bureau, Updates/Status of Small-scale Mining and Minahang Bayan in the Philippines, development initiatives and mining practices of mining companies, research papers and mining technologies were given.

At the symposium, Mr. Weng Torrejos delivered a message from Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa who was supposed to grace the event. In his message, the significant contributions of mining to nation building was underscored and the mining sector was encouraged to give a premium on environmental preservation.

Towards the end of the event, the oath-taking of new mining engineers and new MAEM members along with the renewal of vows of the old MAEM members took place.