The impact that mining can make

In a previous post I highlighted the positive outlook for the Philippines economy and suggested mining as one of the positive growth areas.

Mining tends to be a very lucrative business because of the high value of output per acre of land. Large projects are capable of generating $300-500 million in revenues each year, which can mean a lot of dollars going into the local economy. For this reason, you can imagine the impact that mining has on poor, isolated communities when a mineable mineral resource is discovered. You might wonder therefore why there seems to be so much opposition to mining in the Philippines.

There are several reasons:
1. Royalties: The bulk of project royalties go to the national government and not the surrounding communities.
2. Employment: Alot of the lucrative high paying jobs go to outsiders, whilst the locals are destined to perform unskilled labouring as field hands.
3. Reputation: The mining industry has never escaped its poor reputation, whether its based on outdated mining practices or the occasional tailings dam spill that causes fish kills.
4. Politics: Then there are are greenies who play on such fears by mounting scare campaigns. I would also add that there are local mining industry executives who would prefer it if western mining companies stayed out of the country.

Those matters aside there is still the promise of a great deal of money being spent in these communities, so where there is a mineral province with numerous mines, and a requirement for upgraded roads, port facilities, and perhaps even downstream processing plants, there is the promise of considerable money being spent. That of course has to be good for the local economy in terms of:
1. Rapid growth in incomes
2. Rapid improvement in services
3. Stronger economic activity
4. Increases in population

The question then becomes how can people best profit from those opportunities. On reflection the best opportunities like in:
1. Property rental: Some mining projects last just 5-10 years, others 50 years. Some projects arew replaced, but sometimes these growth towns die, so its worth tying your fate to a mining project that has 30-50 years mine life. The mine life will determine the commitment of the developer to sponsoring their own property development.
2. Catering services: Miners and supporting workers require food, so catering is a great industry.
3. Equipment Maintenance: Mining companies use alot of heavy equipment that requires regular servicing to extend its life.
4. Consumables: Mining projects consume a lot of materials, whether its tires for trucks, wooden pegs for surveying, lime for ore processing or stationery for their administrative offices.
5. Entertainment: Miners are earning good incomes and so they like to spend just as much, so bars and restaurants make alot of sense.
6. Upmarket facilities: One might also expect a new shopping precinct with fashion boutiques, franchises, etc.

The question is where will these services arise. That depends entirely on whether there is a local commercial center. If there is a commercial center within 50-70kms then employees of the mine will tend to commute from the larger center. Much depends on the services offered and the size of the city center. In the absence of a large regional center near the mine, you will find that the company will likely have to sponsor the creation of one in the area. Clearly the larger mines support more people and more development.
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com