Mineral Resource Information Series No.

IRON

Lands Geological Survey Division Mines and Geosciences Bureau Department of Environment and Natural Resources Quezon City Copyright 2004
(Not for resale or unauthorized reproduction)

(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction)

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 earths 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 earths 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, Cebu, Guimaras Island, southwestern Negros, Malangas-Sibuguey islands and Daguma
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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 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.
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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 Deposit Skarn Deposits a. Larap Iron-CopperMolybdenum skarn deposit Operator Location Geology Mineralization Ore Mineralogy Reserves

Under receivership of the Phil. government

Geographical name: Bgy. Larap, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte Central geographic coordinates: 1415N and 12239

The oldest rock suite and host to iron-base metal mineralization consists of the metamorphosed interbedded marls, calcareous shales, arkoses, graywackes, sandstones and conglomerates of the Early Miocene age Universal Formation. Capping this formation are andesite-basalt flows, tuffs and flow breccias. Swarms of granodioritic / monzonitic dikes, believed to be of Late Miocene age, are probably related to a diorite stock southwest of the 4

The mineralized zones are mostly in replaced calcareous bedding horizons and localize along contacts of the metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks with the granodiorite/ monzonite bodies. Folds, faults, and shear-joint planes have acted as channelways for ascending ore solutions that selectively metasomatized calcareous beds. The orebody, as exposed in the Bessemer pit, trends north-south. It consists of lenses ranging in thickness

Primary minerals: Chalcopyrite, molybdenite, magnetite, pyrite, uraninite. High grade ores consists mainly of magnetite with little or no pyrite and other sulfide minerals. Gangue minerals: Garnet, pyroxene, epidote, amphibole, calcite, chlorite and apatite.

Ore reserves totaled 49,387,000 MT of 25.7% magnetic Fe, of which 20,817,000 MT of 26.1% magnetic Fe was considered minable. In addition, the estimated coppermolybdenum ore reserves was 19.2 million MT of 0.225% Cu and 0.029% Mo as inferred ore. As of 1982, remaining positive and

(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) main orebody. from 8 to 25m following bedding planes. probable ore reserves totaled 12,589,974 MT with 10% Fe, 0.29% Cu, 0.04% Mo and 3% S. Primary minerals: Recognized in the order of decreasing abundance are magnetite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite. Minor specularite is present in fresh ore. Secondary minerals: Hematite and limonite are seen on surface exposures. Gangue minerals : Primarily calcite, epidote and garnet in roughly equal proportion. Quartz is a minor component while chlorite and vug-filling fibrous amphibole occur sparingly with some clay minerals. Sphene, zeolite, apatite, and biotite are recognized in thin section. Primary mineral: Ore reserves totaled 33,490,380 MT of beneficiating ore averaging 32-33% Fe as magnetite, about 0.098% Cu as chalcopyrite and 2-3% S. Additional 12,000,000 MT of ore of the same tenor may be extracted in the area.

b. Sta.Ines iron-skarn deposit

Santa Ines Iron and Steel Corporation

Geographical name: Bgy. Santa Ines, Antipolo, Rizal Central geographic coordinates: 1446 N, 12119 E

Paleogene basement rocks consisting of limestone, graywacke and shale associated with basic flows are unconformably overlain by Miocene calcareous sediments This sequence is intruded by a Middle Miocene pluton, the Sta. Ines Diorite, responsible for the metasomatic mineralization of favorable calcareous beds. Post-Middle Miocene basaltic to andesitic dikes intrude the older formations while Recent alluvial material and debris occupy river banks and ridge slopes

The Santa Ines iron skarn deposit is related to the Santa Ines diorite stock. Mineralization occurs between the contact of the diorite and the intruded older calcareous sedimentary rocks. The main deposit probably represents a large inclusion of limestone within the diorite stock. The limestone inclusion has been thoroughly replaced by magnetite-sulfide ores, where the accompanying clastics were barely involved. The clastic mass is roof pendant as it is totally surrounded by the Sta. Ines diorite. Within this clastic sedimentary inclusion, some thin-bedded sections show selective but incomplete replacement by magnetite, epidote and garnet. The main deposit is a large lens-like mass oriented along a NW-SE strike with a steep dip to the northeast. The widest dimension across the ore body is 312 m, measured from an exploratory adit at the 560 level. The deposit is restricted in a

c. Lamin iron-skarn

Ilocandia Iron and Smelting

Geographical name: Bgy.

Basement rocks consist of: (i) basal 5

Possible ore reserve of

(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) deposit Incorporated in 1978 (to be verified) Lammin, Carasi, Ilocos Norte Central geographic coordinates: 815N, 12053E basic volcanic flows, pyroclastic rocks (basaltic lithic tuff and lapilli tuff) and sedimentary units (ferruginous sandstone, shale, chert, and conglomerate) of inferred CretaceousPaleogene age; (ii) andesitic flows intercalated with andesitic tuff to volcanic breccia, sandstone, shale and limestone; (iii) dacite flows intercalated with dacitic tuff, sandstone,shale and limestone. Lens type skarn-iron minerals are localized in favored 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. horizon of intercalated sedimentary rocks, limestone, volcanic flows and pyroclastics intruded by dioritic pluton of Oligocene age. The iron skarn deposit is located approximately at 1010m elevation along the slope of a northeast trending ridge. Mineralization belt trends northeast and dips 25- 60 to the northwest. Strike length is 1,750 meters. Outcrop thickness swells up to 15 meters and pinches to less than a meter. Magnetite Secondary mineral: Hematite (found in the surface of deposits and along shear zones). Gangue minerals: Calcite, quartz, epidote, chlorite, garnet, wollastonite, clay, minor pyroxene, sphene, apatite. 796,316 MT at 58% Fe average and probable reserve of 1,368,931 MT at 58% Fe average

(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) Magnetite Sand deposits Sta. Cruz and Agoo magnetite sand deposits Geographical name: Sta. Cruz to Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and Agoo, La Union Central geographic coordinates: Sta. Cruz: 172500 N, 1202500 E Agoo, La Union: 170730N, 1202000E The coast from Sta. Cruz to Tagudin is characterized by numerous sand dunes that extend from 50 to 200 meters from the shoreline while the Agoo coast has a more subdued topography except for a maximum rise of a meter near the shoreline. The beach sand is fine to medium-grained. Magnetite occurs either as grains disseminated with other alluvial minerals in the sand or within distinct layers that are subcentimeter to 2 cm thick. These coastal areas are underlain by clastic sedimentary rocks of Upper Miocene Pleistocene age. Magnetite comes from the erosion of older rock units in the Central Cordillera. Together with other minerals, they are carried by fluviatile action to the coast, where magnetite alluvial material is dumped and magnetite is enriched primarily by wave action and partly by winnowing wind action. The total thickness of the magnetitebearing sand is unknown, as geological investigations were limited to 1 up to 2.8 meters depth. Primary mineral: Titanomagnetite. Recoverable magnetite based on 1.5 and 1.0 m drillholes in Sta. Cruz and Agoo, respectively, is calculated at 4,207,700 MT

Laterite iron deposits Laterite iron deposits of the Surigao Mineral Reservations The reservation is currently parceled into different claims to several mining companies and claimowners. The reservation comprises the central eastern portion of Surigao peninsula (Parcel I) in northeastern Mindanao; southern Dinagat, Nonoc, Hinatuan and Masepelid islands and lesser isles (Parcel II); northern Dinagat island (Parcel III); and Siargao and Bucas Grande islands (Parcel IV) The reservation is underlain chiefly by metavolcanics, metasediments and serpentinized peridotite. The metavolcanics and metasediments occur as small windows in thrusted sheets of peridotite. Diorite and gabbro occasionally intrude the peridotite. Near the coast are Eocene and/or Oligocene sediments, including limestone, which are generally folded along a N-S axis. MiocenePliocene andesite intrusion carried some gold-rich veins. Post-andesite 7 The laterite iron deposits are residual products of chemical weathering of serpentinized ultramafic rocks. The nickeliferous laterite iron deposits blanket a wide area reaching a thickness of 30m in places. It is generally considered that laterite formation accompanies relative tectonic quiescence, allowing for the dominance of peneplanation processes over uplift and mountain building. Groundwater is Limonite is the chief constituent of the laterite iron ore while hematite and magnetite occurs in subordinate amounts. Ore reserves thus identified are 1.0 billion MT of 47% Fe for Parcel I in Surigao and 150 million MT of 47% Fe for Nonoc island.

(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) sedimentation was confined around Lake Mainit and along the northern coast of the district. Pleistocene uplift raised rich auriferous gravels at the northern part of the district. responsible for the removal of great quantities of soluble materials such as silica, magnesia and lime and the accumulation of less mobile constituents such as iron, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, vanadium and chromium. The bedded iron ore occurs within the upper portions of the Ilagan Sandstone, in which up to a 3 m-thick horizon of hematite and magnetite has been encountered in test pits. The bedded ore appears to be an elongated body with a length 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. Hematite and magnetite The bedded iron ores are estimated at 756,000 tons and the recoverable float iron ores are estimated at 1,125,000 tons with better than 50% iron.

Sedimentary bedded iron deposit Camalaniugan Sedimentary bedded iron deposit

Geographical name: Bgy. .Camalaniugan, Aparri, Cagayan (10 km south of Aparri Poblacion, Cagayan) Central geographic coordinates: 1818N, 12137E .

The upper section of the Pliocene Ilagan Sandstone hosts the iron deposit. Overlying this unit in probable unconformity is a flat-lying, poorly consolidated conglomerate, probably equivalent to the Pleistocene Alat Conglomerate.

(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) Sedimentary bog iron deposit Taan sedimentary bog iron deposit Geographical description: The deposit lies at the southern sector of Nueva Vizcaya near the provincial boundary of Quezon and Nueva Ecija. It is within the interior highland of the Sierra Madre mountains. Central geographic coordinates: 1538N, 12119E The iron deposit lies unconformably above the truncated surface of thermally metamorphosed rock sequence consisting of basic to intermediate volcanic flows intercalated with sandstone and shale. This rock unit was intruded by a quartz diorite stock, believed to be responsible for the widespread epidotization, silicification, pyritization and chloritization of the meta-rocks. The intruded rocks are hornfelsic near the intrusive contact. Hydrothermal quartz veins are prevalent in the area. Granodioritic dikes intrude the quartz diorite while basic dikes intrude both rock types. The deposit formed within a structural basin that probably ponded into a lake. Iron supplied into this basin originated from the chemical weathering of surrounding rocks, which shows evidence of pyritization probably brought about by dioritic intrusions. The iron ions probably derived from the oxidation and weathering of pyritic alteration aureoles, veins and pockets in volcanic rocks were transported into the basin possibly as ferrous solutions and colloids. Iron was precipitated possibly due to the combined effects of ion saturation, chemical reduction and bacterial action. The deposit consists principally of limonite with minor amount of hematite.

Iron Deposits/Prospects in the Philippines

Region 01
Municipality Nueva Era Paoay

Ilocos Norte Province

Name of Contractor Philippine Processing Corp. /(Cabitauran Iron Project) La Playa Mining Corporation Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 102,600.00 949,000.00 9 Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. 52.56 % Fe 50.56 % Fe Status Stopped Operation Operation Suspended

(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) Carasi Carasi Carasi Ilocandia Iron & Smelting Inc./ ( Lammin Iron Project ) Rigid Aggregates Corporation Glendale Mining & Devt Corp. . 850,000.00 2,942 has 1,463 has. 60.50 % Fe APSA-000219I APSA-000223I Stopped Operation In Process (for publication/posting) Under Initial Processing

Region 01
Municipality Sta. Cruz

Ilocos Sur Province

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

Region 01
Municipality Agoo

La Union Province
Name of Contractor Philippine Oil & Mining Company Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 2,031,400.00 Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. 60.11 % Fe Status Operation Suspended Status In Process (under evaluation) In Process (under evaluation) Under Evaluation) In Process (under evaluation) Stopped Operation Stopped Operation Stopped Operation Stopped Operation

Region 02
Municipality Sanchez Mira, Abulug, Ballesteros, Buguey, Gonzaga Sanchez Mira, Claveria Camalaniugan Camalaniugan, Aparri, Abulug Sanchez Mira Camalaniugan Gonzaga Pamplona

Cagayan Province
Name of Contractor Platinum Group Metals Corp. Federico Ganigan Kalamazoo Mining Corp. Platinum Group Metals Corp. E.M. Ramos and Company, Inc. Elizalde & Company, Inc. Apex Exploration & Mining Company, Inc. Feva Mining Corporation Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 1,992 has. Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. APSA-000117II

810 has. 1,056 has. 2,149 has. 2,100,000.00 1,222,550.00 1,770,290.00 11,040,000.00

APSA-000118II APSA-000119II EPA-00063II 53.17 % Fe 51.00 % Fe 53.76 % Fe 60.00 % Fe

Region 03
Municipality DRT

Bulacan Province
Name of Contractor Heirs of Valentin Marias & Maria Fernando Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 57 has. Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. Spanish Grant (for verification) Status With Mines Operating Agreement with Far Eastern Iron Ore

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(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) Corporation & with pending request for Ore Transport Permit Under mine development; with pending request for Ore Transport Permit Under Research Under Research

DRT

Oro Development Corp.

4,000,000.00/ 442.4818 has.

64.35 % Fe MLC No. MRD509; Dec. 6, 1988 62.00 % Fe 55.52 % Fe

DRT DRT San Ildefonso

J and J Enterprises Carmen de Villareal

1,998,400.00 2,000,000.00

Region 03
Municipality Mayantoc

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

Region 04
Municipality Tanay

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

Region 04
Municipality Casiguran

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

Region 04
Municipality Abra de Ilog, Mindoro Occidental/ San Teodoro, Mindoro Oriental Abra de Ilog Abra de Ilog

Mindoro Province
Name of Contractor Agusan Petroleum and Mineral Corp./(Abra de Ilog Iron Project) Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 1,840,710.00/ 53,592 has. Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. 66.32 % Fe/ AFTA-15; Feb. 26, 1996 Status Under Evaluation; covers expired MLCs of Hercules Iron Mines; area in conflict with reservation In Process Under Research

Cattaca Mining Exploration Company Longyear Mining Co., Incorporated

8,100.00 has. 2,600,000.00

EXPA000079IV 66.32 % Fe

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(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) Mamburao Paluan Fernandez-Hermanos, Inc./(Nagsabongan Iron Project) Norwegian Exploration (Phils.) Inc. 6,000,000.00. 2,745.61 has. 55.00 % Fe EXPA000080IV Under Research In Process

Region 04
Municipality Mogpog

Mariduque Province
Name of Contractor Marinduque Iron Mines/ (Magana Iron Project) Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 287,000.00 Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. 55.35 % Fe Status Stopped Operation

Region 04
Municipality Brookes Point

Palawan Province
Name of Contractor Mondo Exploration Corp. Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 256 has. Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. MLCs No.: MRD-127 MRD 128 MRD-129; approved on August 26, 1980 MLC No. MRD130; approved on August 26, 1980 Status Under Operating Agreement with Olympic Mines and Development Corporation; with MPSA application Under Operating Agreement with Olympic Mines and Development Corporation; with MPSA application (for area status and clearance) Under Operating Agreement with Olympic Mines and Development Corporation; with MPSA application (for area status and clearance) Under Operating Agreement with Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp.; with MPSA application (for initial processing) Under Operating Agreement with Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp.; with MPSA application Under Operating Agreement with Olympic Mines and Development

Brookes Point

Atlantic City Mining Corp.

640 has.

Bataraza

Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp.

342 has.

MLCs No.: MRD-172 and MRD-173; approved on June 25, 1979

Bataraza

Rodolfo Jamir

1,086 has.

MLC No. MRD-174; approved on August 17, 1979 MLC No. MRD-175; approved on June 25, 1979 MLCs No.: MRD-176 and MRD-177; approved on

Bataraza

Lourdes Balage

108 has.

Bataraza

Iluminada Martinez

648 has.

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(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) August 17, 1979 Corporation; with MPSA application (for area status and clearance) Under Operating Agreement with Olympic Mines and development Corp.; with MPSA application (for area status and clearance) Under evaluation; lacks NCIP/PCSD Certification Under evaluation; lacks NCIP/PCSD Certification Covers expired MLCs; lacks area status and clearance

Bataraza

Melencio Villanueva

108 has.

MLCs No.: MRD-178 and MRD-179; approved on June 25, 1979 MPSA00536IV; October 16, 1991 MPSA05381IV; October 16, 1991 MPSA00546IV; May 9, 1992

Aborlan

Atlas Consolidated Mining & Devt Corp. Atlas Consolidated Mining & Devt Corp. Benguet Corporation

6,006.24 has.

Aborlan

810 has.

Puerto Princesa

2,126 has.

Region 05
Municipality Jose Panganiban Jose Panganiban Jose Panganiban/ Paracale Jose Panganiban Jose Panganiban Jose Panganiban Paracale Paracale Paracale Capalonga Labo Labo Labo Labo

Camarines Norte Province

Name of Contractor Concepcion F. Abao Isabelo F. Fonacier United Pacific Mining & Devt Corp. Fonacier, Isabelo Philippine Iron Mines, Inc. Agusan Gold Mines, Inc./ (Pinagbirayan Iron Project) Rodolfo N. Padrigon Gervil Resources Devt Corp. Pellets Mineral Resources Devt Corp. Mataqui Iron Prospect Maraveni Cons. Mines, Inc. Gold Fields Phil. Corp. Pellets Mineral Resources Devt Corp. Vein Venida Inc./(Napado Iron Project) Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 283.50 has 319.70 has 2,652.97 has. 1,000,000.00 12,589,970.00 451,380.00 829.37 has. 165.82 has. 165.82 has. 1,171,620.00 1,000,000.00 972.00 has. 829.38 has. 100,000.00 57.00 % Fe APSA-000001V APSA-000306V APSA-000142V APSA-000201V APSA-000304V Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. APSA-000095V APSA-000097V APSA-00028IV 57.00 % Fe Status In Process In Process In Process Under Research Stopped Operation Stopped Operation In Process In Process In Process Geologically Investigated Under Research In Process In Process Geologically Investigated

Region 05

Camarines Sur
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Province
Municipality Lagonoy Tinambac Tinambac Name of Contractor Hercules Iron Mines, Inc./ (Mipid Iron Project) Atlas Cons. Mining & Devt. Corp Tupegos Mining Corp. Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 300,000.00 13,000.00 1,649,300.00 Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. Status Geologically Investigated 52.95 % Fe 50.32 % Fe Stopped Operation Stopped Operation

Region 05
Municipality Batan/Rapu-Rapu

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

Region 05
Municipality Magallanes Matnog

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

Region 05
Municipality Bagamanok

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

Region 06
Municipality Sipalay

Negros Occidental Province

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

Region 07
Municipality Bayawan/ Siaton Southern Negros

Negros Oriental Province

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

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Region 08
Municipality Abuyog/ Mc Arthur Tacloban City Tolosa

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

Region 09
Municipality Lunday, Sibuco/Cuatro Ojos & Vitali, Zamboanga City Mildan, Baliguian & Sakong, Gutalac

Zamboanga del Norte Province

Name of Contractor Hard Rock Mineral Trading, Inc. Rigid Aggregates Corporation Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 6,075 has. Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. APSA-000103IX; filed: March 4,2004 APSA-000108IX; filed April 26, 2004 Status Under Evaluation

7,290 has.

Under Evaluation

Region 09
Municipality Bayog Pagadian Pulang Bato, Bayog, Sominot, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur/Buug, Zamboanga Sibuguey Canipay, Midsalip, Dalagan, Bayog & Dapara Lomponid, Midsalip Midsalip Gibalus, Midsalip,

Zamboanga del Sur Province

Name of Contractor Zambales Base Metals, Inc./ (Sibuguey Iron Project) Surigao Cons. Mining Co., Inc. Cebu Ore Mining and Mineral Resources Corp. Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 2,841,020.00 309,310.00 7,290 has. Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. 49.80 % Fe 65.44 % Fe EXPA000046-IX; filed: April 12, 2004 Status Under Research Under Research In Process (under evaluation)

Cebu Ore Mining and Mineral Resources Corp. Victor J. Yu Geotechniques and Mines, Inc. Mindanao Mining and

8,100 has.

162 has. 567 has. 7,573 has. 15

APSA-000101IX; filed December 22, 2003 APSA-000102IX; filed January 23, 2004 APSA-000104IX; filed March 5, 2004 APSA-000105-

Under Evaluation

Under Evaluation Under Evaluation Under Evaluation

(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) Bayog & Depore Kumaralang/ Buug, Zamboanga Sibuguey Mineral Resources Corp. Rigid Aggregates Corporation IX; filed March 8, 2004 APSA-000107IX; filed April 26, 2004

2,430 has.

Under Evaluation

Region 12
Municipality Kiamba

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

Region 12
Municipality

South Cotabato Province

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

Tupi

Region XIII/ Surigao del Norte CARAGA Province

Municipality Surigao City/ (Ipil/ Malimono) Surigao City/ (Taganaan) Hinatuan Island, Tagana-an Dinagat Island Surigao City/ Hinatuan *Taganito, Claver (Surigao Mineral Reservation) *Cagdianao, Claver (Surigao Mineral Reservation) Nonoc, Awasan & Hanigan (Surigao Mineral Reservation) Valencia, Cagdianao Name of Contractor Pacific Cement Corporation Hinatuan Mining Corp. Hinatuan Mining Corp. Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 180,370.00 64.00 has. 1,230 has. Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. 63.00 % Fe MLC No. 000235-XIII APSA000028-X; date filed: Dec. 4, 1994 APSA-000004XIII 64.44 % Fe OP-0001; date granted: Feb. 14, 1989 007-92-X (SMR); date granted: Feb. 14, 1992 072-97-X (SMR); date granted: Aug. 7, 1997 078-97-XIII (SMR); date Status Producing Under Research In Process

Philnico Mining. & Indl Corp. Inter-Continental Mineral Resources, Inc. Taganito Mining Corporation Case Const. & Devt Corp. Philnico Mining & Industrial Corporation East Coast Mineral Resources Company,

25,000.00 has. 2,000,000.00 3,278.84 has. 4,376 has.

In Process Under Research Iron in laterite as byproduct of Nickel mining Iron in laterite as byproduct of Nickel mining Iron in laterite as byproduct of Nickel mining Iron in laterite as byproduct of Nickel

25,000 has.

697.048 has.

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(Copyright 2004 not for resale or unauthorized reproduction) (Surigao Mineral Reservation) *Cagdianao, Claver (Surigao Mineral Reservation) Inc. Claver Mineral Development Corp. 433.98 has. granted:Nov. 19, 1997 103-98-XIII (SMR); date granted: Feb. 23, 1998 mining Iron in laterite as byproduct of Nickel mining

Region XIII/ Surigao del Sur CARAGA Province

Municipality *Carrascal (Surigao Mineral Reservation) *Carrascal (Surigao Mineral Reservation) *Carrascal (Surigao Mineral Reservation) Carrascal, Cantilan Name of Contractor CTP Construction & Mining Corp. CTP Construction & Mining Corp. CTP Construction & Mining Corp. Cebu-Yonasho Minerals trading, Inc. Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 3,564 has Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. 018-93-X (SMR); date granted: Jan. 11, 1993 158-00-XIII (SMR); date granted: May 2, 2000 XIII-SMR-012000; date granted: Jan. 26, 2000 APSA- 000005XIII; date applied: June 20, 1997 Status Iron in laterite as byproduct of Nickel mining Iron in laterite as byproduct of Nickel mining Iron in laterite as byproduct of Nickel mining In Process

321.40 has.

4,547.77 has.

4,352 has.

Region XIII/ Agusan del Norte CARAGA Province

Municipality Jabonga Name of Contractor Basiana Mining Exploration Corporation Total Tonnage/ Hectarage 572.64 has. Ave. Grade/ Permit No./ Application No. APSA000014-XIII; date applied: July 31, 1997 Status In Process

*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

Year 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942-47 Quantity (DMT) 13,302 310,544 596,256 629,894 896,495 1,095,066 1,027,193 436,149 21,983,022 Value (PHP)

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1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993-present 18,289 370,172 599,095 903,282 1,170,350 1,217,864 1,424,898 1,432,712 1,440,232 1,346,363 1,098,732 1,230,193 1,138,770 1,170,548 1,386,959 1,385,704 1,366,922 1,437,778 1,477,751 1,353,218 1,561,466 1,869,877 2,250,100 2,204,881 2,254,556 1,608,109 1,351,446 570,999 1,747 6,324 5,746 5,573 2,640 620 390 14,980 6,520 6,290 7,303 7,350 21,983,022 5,387,659 7,633,494 14,238,338 21,983,022 23,242,677 24,878,184 24,039,909 23,201,119 23,107,899 19,498,822 22,232,986 20,706,298 28,685,009 43,301,501 44,671,155 41,009,741 52,766,679 56,208,647 47,148,412 53,684,299 83,123,390 102,141,080 105,338,575 111,197,174 81,807,217 90,676,929 38,502,260 270,375 1,068,755 969,419 908,367 520,000 1,360,000 280,000 390,000 474,865 445,189 -

Note: 1993 Present no commercial iron production Pacific Cement reported iron production for its own consumption (Source : Mineral Economics, Information & Publication Division)

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MARKET
The main bulk of the countrys 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

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PRODUCT

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COMPANY/OWNER J & J Hardware/ Maristel 879-881 Rizal Ave., corner Campo Gomez D. Jose St., Sta. Cruz, Manila AM-ASIA Cosultancy and Unit 4C Unioil Center Bldg. Trading Inc. / Melissa 1222 Acacia St. Cor. Yvette Sebastian Cortez Commerce Ave., Madrigal Business Park Ayala, Alabang, 1780 Muntinlupa Arrive Travel Agency / Unit 11, Cuneta Astrodome, Larry Lacanilao Villaverde Roxas Blvd. corner Derham St., Pasay City, Philippines Sun Rise Trading Corp. / Arch. Sendoko Retulla Sandra C.Respall 6545 E. Ramos St., Makati City, Philippines 1708 Salcedo Village, Makati City 1227, Philippines

Scrap Iron and Steel Galvanized Iron Sheet Hvac Products Flexible Ducts

Iron, Sand

Iron Ore Scrap iron, iron ore, petroleum products, jet fuel, crude oil, D2, urea, sugar

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