Philippine Economic-Environmental and Natural Resources Accounting (PEENRA)
Mineral Resources
THE PHILIPPINE MINERAL RESOURCES ACCOUNTS
Minerals are natural substances -- usually comprising "inorganic element or compound, having an orderly internal structure and characteristics, chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties" (NAMRIA-DENR, 1991). Any concentration of these minerals, with a potential economic value that can be extracted at a profit, is considered a mineral resource. Despite its small area, the Philippines is one of the world's richly endowed countries in terms of mineral resources. In 1994, the estimated levels of metallic and non-metallic mineral reserves stood at 7 billion metric tons and 50 billion metric tons, respectively. Copper accounted for the bulk of metallic mineral resources of about 72 percent; while nickels share was estimated at 16 percent (Figure 1). Among the non-metallic minerals, limestone and marble accounted for about 39 and 29 percent, respectively (Figure 2). In terms of chromite resources, the Philippines is also one of the most endowed countries. In fact, the country's refractory chromite resource in Zambales is considered as one of the largest in the world. The mining industry plays a very important role in the countrys economic development. For one, the industry provides employment opportunities to a significant portion of the population, directly and indirectly. The launching of a mining project spurs local and regional economic development as mining firms invest in road infrastructure, utilities, and other facilities within the mine site. Mining, likewise, contributes to the country's foreign-exchange earnings through exports. Furthermore, the industry provides additional revenues for the government through taxes and fees paid on mining and other related activities. The mining activities involve operations that have significant impact on the environment. In most facets of the mining activities, there is always the potential for environmental and ecological problems -- from the construction of mining facilities, the extraction of ore, to the processing of minerals. Mineral resources are non-renewable. Once extracted, the ore is gone and will take a very long time to replenish. Mining activity, therefore, is faced with the sustainability issue. Serious implications may arise if this issue is not properly addressed. While the construction of the asset account for the other natural resources is undoubtedly important, it is more crucial for the minerals because of the exhaustibility of these resources. Gold Gold reserves at the beginning of 1988 was estimated at 101.6 million metric tons (MT), equivalent to about 240 MT of gold metal. Between 1988 and 1994, a total of 27.7 million MT of gold ore, containing about 36 MT of metal was extracted. On the average, this is equivalent to an annual extraction of 3.9 million MT of gold [Link], actual annual data show that the level of ore extraction dropped by a hefty 42.9 percent in 1990 and 25.7 percent in 1993 (Figure 1). The slight increase in the world metal price of gold in 1990 failed to raise the countrys production. During this year, three major gold mines temporarily ceased operation, evidence of the then problems which besieged the domestic mining industry. Copper The reported stock of copper in ore form increased from 4,106 million MT in 1988 to 4,597 million MT in 1994 (Figure 2). However, copper reserves suffered a setback in 1990, when it declined by 7.2 percent from the previous years level before resuming its increasing trend. From 1988 to 1994, the extraction of copper ore registered a decreasing trend, with an annual average decline of 12.1 percent. The same trend was exhibited by the metal content which declined from 277,746 MT in 1988 to 130,910 MT in 1994. Copper mining companies slowed down in their production as lower prices of copper metal in the world market discouraged further expansion of activities. Other factors which contributed to the low extraction for the years concerned included power shortages, closure of the Marcopper Mining Corporation in the second half of 1991, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, and the unusual heavy rainfall. During the seven-year period, a total of 346 million MT of ore was extracted, with a metal content of 1.3 million MT. Chromite From 1988 to 1990 -- on the average -- most of the chromite-producing companies experienced a relative boom, as reflected by the increases in their extraction. For the said period, the total chromite ore extraction grew at an annual average of 30.1 percent, despite the earthquake that jolted Luzon island in July 1990. However, starting 1991, a downtrend was experienced as a result of the volcanic eruption. This catastrophe deluged service roads with mudflows thus, affecting the transport of the output of one of the biggest chromite producers in that location. Power shortage and other geological factors affected the operations of most chromite mining companies in the succeeding years. As a result of reduced extraction and positive other accumulation, the stock of total chromite ore reserves registered an annual average growth of 1.5 percent for the period 1988-1994. The corresponding metal content posted an average annual growth of 0.4 percent for the same period. In contrast with the physical asset accounts for which estimates were undertaken by type of chromite, the monetary asset account for chromite was estimated only on an aggregate basis. Nickel
Beginning in 1991, the stock of ore reserves started to decline. In 1993, the nickel metal production tremendously dropped, the effect of the slowdown in the international demand for nickel, coupled with increased production in the earlier years, which dampened the market price of nickel metal. Iron Iron ore, one of the Philippines largest mineral deposits, is not being extracted at present. This was due to the higher cost of production, making the local prices of iron not competitive to world prices. However, exploration for possible mining sites is still being done. In 1989, there was an addition of 10.1 million MT in total reserves. Several mining areas explored in 1992 were found positive with iron, resulting in a huge increase in ore reserves of 298.6 million MT, with a metal content of 124.0 million MT. Manganese During the period 1988 to 1994, manganese reserves in ore form registered an annual average growth of 2.7 percent -from 1.4 million MT in 1988 to 1.6 million MT in 1994. The extraction of manganese ore exhibited fluctuations for the years in review. In 1992, exploration for more possible mining sites in several areas was conducted. This resulted to an increase of ore reserves by 203,014 MT, with a metal content of 87,843 MT at the end of the year, gross of extraction.
Minerals and their functions and sources
Date updated: February 06, 2009 Debby Golonka, MPH Content provided by Healthwise
The body needs many minerals; these are called essential minerals. Essential minerals are sometimes divided up into major minerals (macrominerals) and trace minerals (microminerals). These two groups of minerals are equally important, but trace minerals are needed in smaller amounts than major minerals. The amounts needed in the body are not an indication of their importance. A balanced diet usually provides all of the essential minerals. The two tables below list minerals, what they do in the body (their functions), and their sources in food. Macrominerals
Major minerals
Mineral Sodium Function Needed for proper fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction Needed for proper fluid balance, stomach acid Sources Table salt, soy sauce; large amounts in processed foods; small amounts in milk, breads, vegetables, and unprocessed meats Table salt, soy sauce; large amounts in processed foods; small amounts in milk, meats, breads, and vegetables Meats, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes
Chloride
Potassium Calcium
Needed for proper fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction
Important for healthy bones and teeth; helps muscles relax Milk and milk products; canned fish with bones and contract; important in nerve functioning, blood (salmon, sardines); fortified tofu and fortified soy clotting, blood pressure regulation, immune system health milk; greens (broccoli, mustard greens); legumes Important for healthy bones and teeth; found in every cell; Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, processed foods part of the system that maintains acid-base balance (including soda pop) Found in bones; needed for making protein, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, immune system health Found in protein molecules Nuts and seeds; legumes; leafy, green vegetables; seafood; chocolate; artichokes; "hard" drinking water Occurs in foods as part of protein: meats, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, legumes, nuts
Phosphorus Magnesium
Sulfur
Trace minerals (microminerals)
The body needs trace minerals in very small amounts. Note that iron is considered to be a trace mineral, although the amount needed is somewhat more than for other microminerals.
Trace minerals Mineral
Iron
Function
Part of a molecule (hemoglobin) found in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the body; needed for energy metabolism
Sources
Organ meats; red meats; fish; poultry; shellfish (especially clams); egg yolks; legumes; dried fruits; dark, leafy greens; iron-enriched breads and cereals; and fortified cereals
Zinc
Part of many enzymes; needed for makingprotein and Meats, fish, poultry, leavened whole genetic material; has a function in taste perception, grains, vegetables wound healing, normal fetal development, production of sperm, normal growth and sexual maturation, immune system health Found in thyroid hormone, which helps regulate growth, development, and metabolism Antioxidant Part of many enzymes; needed for iron metabolism Part of many enzymes Involved in formation of bones and teeth; helps prevent tooth decay Works closely with insulin to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels Seafood, foods grown in iodine-rich soil, iodized salt, bread, dairy products Meats, seafood, grains Legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, organ meats, drinking water Widespread in foods, especially plant foods Drinking water (either fluoridated or naturally containing fluoride), fish, and most teas Unrefined foods, especially liver, brewer's yeast, whole grains, nuts, cheeses Legumes; breads and grains; leafy greens; leafy, green vegetables; milk; liver
Iodine Selenium Copper Manganese Fluoride
Chromium
Molybdenum Part of some enzymes
Other trace nutrients known to be essential in tiny amounts include nickel, silicon, vanadium, and cobalt.
