By Alden Monzon | The Philippine Star | November 11, 2025

Philiex Mining Corporation

MANILA, Philippines — Pangilinan-led Philex Mining Corp. said drilling at its Clifton Project in Benguet, a potential extension of the Padcal Mine, remained on hold due to disputes with local land claimants.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the mining firm said discussions with affected property holders are ongoing.

“Persistent negotiations with the landowners were undertaken to enable the resumption of drilling during the last quarter of the year,” Philex said.

The Clifton Project, covered by Exploration Permit EP-009-2021-CAR, began drilling earlier in April to map out the mineral resources after initial checks were completed the previous year.

Padcal has been the company’s main operation in Benguet since 1958, using underground block cave mining to extract copper concentrates containing gold, copper and silver.

Over the decades, the company said it has remained the firm’s primary source of revenue.

The mine’s operational life has been extended several times in recent years, most recently to Dec. 31, 2028, after additional reserves and confirmatory drilling confirmed further economically viable ore.

Philex has indicated that maintaining Padcal operations is important to ensure a smooth transition to its upcoming Silangan Project, which is expected to begin producing commercial metal in early 2026.

The Silangan Project, located in Surigao del Norte in northeastern Mindanao, was acquired by Philex through its subsidiary Silangan Mindanao Mining Corp. in 2010.

The project is among the country’s large-scale copper developments and is expected to be a significant contributor to the company’s future output.

Its main mineral tenements include two primary ore deposits, Sta. Barbara I and Sta. Barbara II, which will form the core of its operations once commercial production begins.

Despite the temporary hold on drilling at the Clifton Project, Philex reported a core net income of P344 million for the third quarter, up by 72 percent from P200 million in the same period last year.

Source: The Philippine Star