ASX-LISTED Indophil Resources hopes to list its shares on the Philippine Stock Exchange to win more local support for the long-delayed $5.9 billion Tampakan copper and gold mining project. Indophil owns 37.5% of Sagittarius Mines, the local operator for the Tampakan project in the southern province of South Cotabato, where a 2010 ban on open-pit mining has delayed development.

Although first quarter gold production at B2Gold’s Masbate project was lower than expected overall production guidance for 2014 remains unchanged. There were 42,576 ounces of gold produced compared to budget of 51,892 ounces.

SOUTH East Asia is a diverse region which means there is something for everyone in terms of opportunities, particularly in the mining and energy industries, according to a Vietnam-based Austrade senior trade commissioner.

Red Mountain Mining has commenced the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its Batangas Gold Project with completion expected by December 2014. The DFS follows the recent new gold discovery from a drilling program under the South West Breccia (SWB) resource, which has potential to increase the resource and provide a boost to the economics of the recent scoping study.

Mindoro Resources has repaid outstanding principal and interest in the amount of $399,176 due to TVI Pacific, pursuant to the Grid Promissory Note arranged in June 2013.

The Agata Mining Joint Venture of TVI Pacific, Mindoro Resources and TVI’s Philippine affiliate, TVI Resource Development (Phils), (TVIRD) has received the Declaration of Mining Project Feasibility (DMPF) and clearance to develop a port facility for the proposed direct shipping ore (DSO) operation of the high-iron laterite resources at the Agata project, in Agusan del Norte, Mindanao.

Crazy Horse Resources has entered into a Letter of Intent regarding a proposed transaction with Ballyliffin Capital Corp, a capital pool company. The amalgamation, in accordance with the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), will create a new company under the name Asia Arc Inc.

Exploration drilling at Red Mountain Mining’s South West Breccia (SWB) lode corridor of the Lobo project in southern Luzon has confirmed high grade mineralization of up to 0.65 metres @ 18 grams/tonne gold under Trench 13.

Tiger International Resources has contracted Quest Exploration Drilling (Philippines) (QED) to provide drilling services at its Itogon Gold/Silver Project.

DMCI Holdings is taking full control of UK-listed mining firm ENK Plc, which is focused on developing its Acoje nickel mining project in the Philippines.

Sierra Mining has received further outstanding results from its ongoing drilling program at the Mabilo project in Camarines Norte Province of Eastern Luzon.

Red Mountain Mining has submitted its Batangas gold mining project feasibility applications to the Philippines Government for approval, thus moving once step closer to production and cash flow.

Red Mountain Mining has estimated a low $16.7 million pre-production capital cost, attractive IRR of 70% and projected life of mine revenue of Aus$134 million in the scoping study for its Batangas Gold Project. The company’s board has also approved a definitive feasibility study (DFS) based on results from the scoping study to begin immediately.

MBMI Resources has entered into an agreement with DMCI Mining Corporation with respect to the shares it holds in three Philippines-incorporated development companies (collectively, the DevCos). As part of this agreement, MBMI has agreed to transfer to DMCI all its interest in the DevCos.

Mindoro Resources’ joint venture partner TVI Pacific and its Philippine operating affiliate, TVI Resource Development (Phils) (TVIRD), have announced first nickel production from the pilot plant at Intertek Minerals Philippines in Manila, for the Agata North project, Agusan del Norte Province, northern Mindanao.

US independent federal agency Ex-Im Bank has signed a US$1 billion MoU with the Philippine Department of Energy with a view to matching development needs in the Philippines with innovative goods and services offered by American exporters.

Despite suffering a setback earlier this year when Gold Fields decided not to exercise its option to buy the Mankayan Copper-Gold Project, all is not lost for AIM-listed Bezant Resources.

TVI PACIFIC’S Philippine operating affiliate TVI Resource Development Philippines (TVIRD) has stopped milling operations at the Canatuan Copper-Zinc Project after exhausting its remaining stockpile. The company may consider re-starting the mill pending results of assessing various mine life extension and expansion opportunities.

METALLURGICAL leaching results have demonstrated very high gold recoveries for a sample from the high grade South West Breccia indicated resource at the Lobo prospect of Red Mountain Mining’s Batangas Gold Project in southern Luzon. The composite sample grading 8.8 grams/tonne gold showed recoveries of up to 97%.

Red Mountain Mining is close to completing the scoping study for its Batangas Gold Project in southern Luzon, which is now focused on the higher grade, near-surface South West Breccia resource at the Lobo prospect.