Study guide
7.3 Philippine Mineral Reporting Code (PMRC 2020) & Resource Classification
PRC Mining Engineer Licensure Examination Philippines
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1 Chapter 1: Surface Mining Methods & Pit Optimization
1.1 Surface Mining Unit Operations & Method Selection 1.2 Bench Geometry, Slope Stability & Geotechnical Pit Design 1.3 Cut-Off Grade Optimization & Lerchs-Grossmann Pit Limits
2 Chapter 2: Underground Mining Methods & Strata Control
2.1 Underground Mining Method Classification & Selection 2.2 Rock Mechanics, Stress Analysis & Strata Control 2.3 Underground Ground Support Systems & Excavation Design
3 Chapter 3: Materials Handling, Equipment & Mine Economics
3.1 Drilling, Blasting & Explosives Engineering 3.2 Mine Loading, Haulage & Materials Handling Systems 3.3 Mine Capital (CAPEX), Operating Costs (OPEX) & Financial Evaluation
4 Chapter 4: Mine Safety, Ventilation & Philippine Mining Laws
4.1 Mine Ventilation Network Analysis & Environmental Quality 4.2 Philippine Mine Safety Rules, Health & Disaster Prevention 4.3 Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942), DAO 2010-21 & Mining Ethics
5 Chapter 5: Physical Geology, Mineralogy & Philippine Deposit Types
5.1 Structural Geology, Tectonics & Ore Controls 5.2 Igneous, Metamorphic & Sedimentary Ore Mineralogy 5.3 Major Philippine Ore Deposit Models
6 Chapter 6: Mineral Exploration, Geophysics & Core Logging
6.1 Geochemical & Remote Sensing Exploration Techniques 6.2 Geophysical Exploration Methods in Mining Geology 6.3 Diamond Drilling, Core Logging & QA/QC Protocols
7 Chapter 7: Geostatistics, Resource Estimation & PMRC Code
7.1 Ore Body Block Modeling & Spatial Variography 7.2 Inverse Distance & Ordinary Kriging Grade Estimation 7.3 Philippine Mineral Reporting Code (PMRC 2020) & Resource Classification
8 Chapter 8: Comminution, Sizing & Physical Mineral Separation
8.1 Crushing, Grinding & Bond Work Index Calculations 8.2 Particle Screening, Hydrocyclone Classification & Sizing 8.3 Gravity Concentration & Magnetic/Electrostatic Separation
9 Chapter 9: Froth Flotation & Extractive Hydrometallurgy
9.1 Froth Flotation Chemistry, Reagents & Cell Kinetics 9.2 Leaching Technologies (Heap, Agitation & Tank) 9.3 Precious Metal Recovery: CIP, CIL, Merrill-Crowe & Electrowinning
10 Chapter 10: Process Plant Flowsheets & Environmental Tailings Management
10.1 Metallurgical Plant Flowsheets & Pulp Mass Balances 10.2 Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) Design & Dam Safety 10.3 Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Mitigation & Environmental Protection (EPEP/FMR/DP)
11 Chapter 11: 2025 PRC Blueprint, Prospecting Tools & Exploration Decisions
11.1 Official 2025 TOS, Three-Paper Structure & Exam Strategy 11.2 Prospecting Instruments, Base Maps & Surface Geological Mapping 11.3 Integrating Direct and Indirect Evidence for Exploration Decisions
12 Chapter 12: Mine Infrastructure, Sustainable Development & Climate
12.1 Power, Water, Drainage & Support-Facility Selection 12.2 Sustainable Development, Progressive Rehabilitation & Community Impact 12.3 Mining, Climate, Reforestation, Coal & Energy-Transition Minerals
13 Chapter 13: Mine Valuation, Financial Analysis & Due Diligence
13.1 Time Value of Money, Future Value & Present Value 13.2 Financial Statements, Mine Economics & External Price Drivers 13.3 Exploration Provenance, Technical Review & Legal Due Diligence
14 Chapter 14: Mine Organization, Communication & Accountable Leadership
14.1 Line and Staff Functions in a Mining Organization 14.2 Communication With Superiors, Peers & Subordinates 14.3 Authority, Responsibility, Delegation & Safety Accountability
15 Chapter 15: Philippine Mining Law, Indigenous Rights & Professional Ethics
15.1 Legal Hierarchy, Mineral Tenure & Compliance Analysis 15.2 Constitutional Participation, IPRA, FPIC & Ancestral Domains 15.3 RA 4274, Professional Scope, Ethics & Document Integrity
16 Chapter 16: Applied Mathematics & Mine Surveying
16.1 Engineering Mathematics for Safe, Efficient Mine Decisions 16.2 Survey Control, Instruments, Traverses & Error Adjustment 16.3 Topographic Maps, Underground Set-Out & Survey Timeliness
17 Chapter 17: Feasibility Studies, Data Quality & Project Decisions
17.1 Scoping, Pre-Feasibility & Final Feasibility Study Maturity 17.2 Data Accuracy, Assumption Control & Go/No-Go Decisions 17.3 Multidisciplinary Integration, Interfaces & Independent Review
18 Chapter 18: Mining Computer Applications, Digital Control & Global Developments
18.1 Computer Functions, Office Applications & Data Governance 18.2 Geological Modeling, Mine Planning, Scheduling & Valuation Software 18.3 Real-Time Control, Critical Minerals & Regional Mining Developments
19 Chapter 19: Earth Systems, Geologic Time & Philippine Hazards
19.1 Solar-System Origin, Earth Interior & Atmospheric Layers 19.2 Rock Cycle, Landforms & the Geologic Time Scale 19.3 Philippine Tectonics, Geologic Hazards & Mitigation
20 Chapter 20: Metallurgy, Foundry Practice & Assaying
20.1 Extractive, Physical & Adaptive Metallurgy Principles 20.2 Foundry Materials, Casting, Solidification & Defects 20.3 Sampling, Fire Assay, Cupellation, Parting & Assay Calculations
21 Chapter 21: Solid–Liquid Separation, Environmental Law & Mine Ecology
21.1 Thickening, Filtration & Solid–Liquid Separation 21.2 Philippine Air, Water, Waste & Hazardous-Substance Controls 21.3 Mine Ecology, Closure, Tailings, Waste & Community Livelihood
7.3 Philippine Mineral Reporting Code (PMRC 2020) & Resource Classification
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
PMRC 2020 aligns Philippine mineral public reporting with CRIRSCO international standards, built on the governing principles of Transparency, Materiality, and Competence.
Mineral Resources require Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE) and are categorized by confidence into Inferred, Indicated, and Measured.
Mineral Reserves (Probable and Proved) are economically mineable parts of Indicated and Measured Mineral Resources after application of the Modifying Factors.
An Inferred Mineral Resource cannot be converted directly into a Mineral Reserve.
PMRC 2020 assigns responsibility to the reporting company while requiring public reports to be based on, and fairly reflect, supporting information prepared by an Accredited Competent Person with relevant experience.
Last updated: August 2026
Public confidence in mineral exploration results, Mineral Resources, and Mineral Reserves is critical for capital markets, mining companies, investors, and regulatory authorities. In the Philippines, PMRC 2020 supplies the professional framework for reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources, and Mineral Reserves. The reporting company must also apply the PSE, SEC, DENR, MGB, and other filing rules that govern the particular report at its reporting date.
PMRC 2020 Framework & International Alignment
The PMRC was originally established in 2007 and comprehensively updated to PMRC 2020 to align with the International Reporting Template of the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards ( CRIRSCO ). The PMRC framework is maintained by the PMRC Committee (PMRCC), composed of key professional organizations:
- Philippine Society of Mining Engineers ( PSEM )
- Geological Society of the Philippines ( GSP )
- Society of Metallurgical Engineers of the Philippines ( SMEP )
- Fundamental Governing Principles
PMRC 2020 is built upon three foundational principles:
Transparency : Clear, unambiguous presentation of information without misleading statements or omissions.
Materiality : Disclosure of all relevant information that investors and professional advisers would reasonably require to make an informed financial decision.
Competence : Public reports must rest on work for which appropriately qualified and experienced professionals accept responsibility. PMRC 2020 calls that professional an Accredited Competent Person (ACP) .
Classification Framework: Mineral Resources vs. Mineral Reserves
PMRC 2020 maintains a strict boundary between Mineral Resources (geological confidence) and Mineral Reserves (technical and economic viability). EXPLORATION RESULTS
- |
- v
- MINERAL RESOURCES
- Increasing +-------------------+
- Geological | Inferred |
- Confidence +-------------------+
- | | Indicated |--------+
- | +-------------------+ | Consideration of
- v | Measured |-----+ | Modifying Factors
- +-------------------+ | | (Mining, Processing,
- v v Economic, Legal, etc.)
- ORE RESERVES
- +-------------------+
- | Probable |
- +-------------------+
- | Proved |
- +-------------------+
- 1. Mineral Resources
A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade (or quality), and quantity that there are Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE) . Mineral Resources are subdivided into three categories in order of increasing geological confidence:
Inferred Mineral Resource : Tonnage, grade, and mineral content are estimated with a low level of confidence, based on geological evidence and limited sampling. Inferred resources cannot be directly converted to Mineral Reserves.
Indicated Mineral Resource : Tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade, and mineral content are estimated with a reasonable level of confidence, supported by adequately spaced exploration sampling. An Indicated resource can be converted to a Probable Mineral Reserve .
Measured Mineral Resource : Tonnage, grade, shape, and mineral distribution are estimated with a high level of confidence based on detailed and reliable exploration data. A Measured resource can be converted to a Proved Mineral Reserve or a Probable Mineral Reserve (if modifying factor uncertainties exist).
2. Mineral Reserves (Mineral Reserves)
An Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that occur when the material is mined.
Probable Mineral Reserve : Economically mineable part of an Indicated (and in some cases Measured) Mineral Resource, demonstrated by at least a Pre-Feasibility Study.
Proved Mineral Reserve : Economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource, demonstrated by a Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility Study. Proved reserves represent the highest level of confidence in economic extraction.
Accredited Competent Person (ACP) Requirements in the Philippines
The company issuing a public report is responsible for the report. Its disclosure must be based on, and fairly reflect, supporting information and documentation prepared by an Accredited Competent Person (ACP) ; the company obtains the ACP's prior written consent to the form and context in which the work is presented. A required Technical Report is prepared directly by the appropriate ACP or under that ACP's direct supervision.
ACP Discipline Professional Accreditation Primary Scope of Responsibility
Geology ACP accredited through Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP) Exploration results, geological modeling & Mineral Resource estimation
Mining Engineering ACP accredited through Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM) Mining method selection, mine design, Modifying Factors & Mineral Reserve estimation
Metallurgical Engineering ACP accredited through Society of Metallurgical Engineers of the Philippines (SMEP) Metallurgical sampling, process recovery, plant design & processing costs
ACP Qualification Criteria
An ACP is a Member or Fellow of PSEM, GSP, or SMEP, or of a recognized professional organization accepted under the framework, and is subject to an enforceable professional disciplinary process. The person needs at least five years of relevant experience in the style of mineralization or deposit and in the activity undertaken. Resource estimation, reserve estimation, exploration reporting, and metallurgical assessment require different relevant experience; a general five years in mining is not enough by itself. Applicable Philippine licensure law still governs regulated professional practice.
Modifying Factors & Economic Cut-off Grade
The transformation of Mineral Resources into Mineral Reserves requires the application of Modifying Factors : Mineral Resource (Indicated/Measured) + Modifying Factors ⟶ Mineral Reserve (Probable/Proved) \text{Mineral Resource (Indicated/Measured)} + \text{Modifying Factors} \longrightarrow \text{Mineral Reserve (Probable/Proved)} Mineral Resource (Indicated/Measured) + Modifying Factors ⟶ Mineral Reserve (Probable/Proved)
Key Modifying Factors include:
Mining : Extraction method, mining dilution, mining recovery, geotechnical stability, bench geometry.
Processing / Metallurgical : Ore beneficiation recovery rates, reagent consumption, deleterious elements.
Economic : Commodity price assumptions, exchange rates, capital expenditure (CapEx), operating expenditure (OpEx).
Marketing : Offtake agreements, product specification limits, freight and smelting charges (TC/RCs).
Legal, Environmental, Social & Governmental : Compliance with Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995), Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP), Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Public Reports and Technical Reports
Do not treat every public disclosure as though the ACP personally issues the company report. The issuer owns the public report, names the ACP whose work supports it, discloses the ACP relationship and consent, and retains evidence that the disclosure fairly reflects the supporting documentation. Where Exchange rules require a Technical Report, the relevant ACP authors or directly supervises it, completes the required verification and inspection, states assumptions and data cut-off, and addresses the applicable reporting criteria on an if-not-why-not basis. Filing triggers, forms, timing, and annual or material-update duties must be checked against the Exchange rules effective on the reporting date.