MANILA – Taiwanese firm Xin Ye Precious Metal Technology Co. Ltd., through its local subsidiary Philippine Xi Ye Industry Ltd. Inc., urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to approve its eco-friendly, cyanide-free ore stripping technology for small-scale gold mining operation in the country.
“We are committed to the protection of our environment and natural resources by responsible mining,” Xin Ye president Michael Yiao said in a statement on Monday.
Yao said the firm’s locally patented GP-860 solution, which uses cyanide-free, mercury-free, and non-toxic gold stripping method, can help small-scale miners to abide by government policies on responsible mining practices.
GP-860 gold stripping technology aims to replace traditional extraction process, which usually involves the use of the banned chemical mercury that remains popular and widely used by small-scale miners in the Philippines.
“Basically, our technology allows artisanal and small-scale gold mining to extract gold using environment-friendly alternative to mercury,” he said.
Xin Ye officially launched on Monday its first gold processing facility in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte in partnership with Johnson Gold Mining Corp.
Xin Ye executive vice president Steven Liao said the $1-million plant can process 11.5 metric tons (MT) of concentrate per day with potential gold yield of 50 grams per ton.
“That’s 550 grams of gold on a daily basis,” he said.
At present, Liao said they are in talks with at least eight mining companies in Baguio and Bicol Region, adding they expect to close the deal for the acquisition of the technology early next year. (PNA)
