Capping a continuing discussion since the end of 2022, Apex Mining Co., Inc. (AMCI) and UPERDFI signed the deed of donation for the Apex Mining Co. Professorial Chairs, one for Mining Engineering and one for Metallurgical Engineering. The six-year commitment starts with the 2023-24 awards.
For AMCI, President and CEO Luis Sarmiento led his team, which included VP Finance Billy Torres, AVP Teresa Pacis, Mining Engineer Kris Andres, and Geologist Isaac Rivera. The UPCOE group was led by Dean Tonette Tanchuling, AD Eric Tingatinga, and DMMME faculty led by Mitch Oyales, Christian Arranz and Candy Mercado. UPERDFI members in attendance were Treasurer Glen Tabios, Trustee Joey Gomez, member Art Disini, ED Tito Aliga and DED Nori Ishikawa.
ED Tito Aliga gave the Intro Remarks, mentioning that in 2016/17, our member Dr. Walter Brown, who was then the AMCI Chairman of the Board, brought an AMCI Team to UPCOE to discuss opportunities for collaboration. He made a personal donation for ten Thesis Support Grants at that time.
President Winnie Ordonez delivered her welcome remarks via a video message from Seoul, Korea, where she was attending a conference.
AMCI presented a situationer, citing areas where research could be of great help. DMMME discussed actual research papers done by professorial chairholders.
Realizing the convergence of AMCI’s needs and the capability of DMMME, President Louie Sarmiento and Dean Tonette delivered their messages. They agreed that beyond the professorial chair research, specific projects will be discussed to address AMCI’s burning challenges.
Art Disini, an acknowledged guru in Philippine mining and DMMME professorial lecturer, stressed that Philippine mining has to rally, as it is the one sector that can best regain its role as a bedrock of the country’s export position. He emphasized that the government is pushing for responsible mining, which is the only way forward.
Tito read the Closing Remarks of UPERDFI Chairman Alex Sy, who was in Shanghai on business. A sumptuous lunch capped the morning’s rites.
We look forward to actively pursue collaborative projects with Apex Mining and UPCOE!
 UPERDFI, UPCOE and Apex Mining Sign the Deed of Donation for the Professorial Chairs |  ED Tito and Dean Tonette hand over the Golden Jubilee Coffee Table Book to Apex Mining |
