OceanaGold Philippines to expand mine automation at Didipio in 2027

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Didipio mine automation 2027

Highlights

OceanaGold (Philippines) will deploy an automated production drill and ventilation-on-demand system at Didipio mine in 2027 for deeper underground operations.
The company is upgrading loader automation so a single operator can control up to three machines, with each automated loader costing U.S.$2 million plus U.S.$200,000–U.S.$300,000 for the automation package.
As of Dec. 31, Didipio mine holds 45.2 million metric tons of measured and indicated resources containing 1.34 million ounces of gold, 2.4 million ounces of silver, and 0.16 million metric tons of copper.

2027 automation rollout at Didipio

As reported by BusinessWorld Online, OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. is preparing to deploy additional automated mining systems at its Didipio mine in Nueva Vizcaya next year as underground operations move deeper. James Isles, asset president of the Didipio mine, said the company is introducing an automated production drill and a ventilation-on-demand system to support safer and more efficient mining.

Isles said automation and remote drilling help keep workers out of hazardous areas, a priority as the mine advances into deeper sections underground. The automated production drill is expected to arrive in 2027 and will follow pre-programmed drilling plans, completing a series of holes before requiring operator intervention to move between setups.

OGP is also upgrading its existing underground loader automation system so a single operator can control as many as three machines from one workstation. The company said the investment builds on automation upgrades made over the past five years, with each underground loader costing about U.S.$2 million and its automation package adding roughly U.S.$200,000 to U.S.$300,000.

Exploration plans and mining impact

The ventilation-on-demand system will use smart fans with variable-speed drives to adjust airflow based on activity in specific underground areas, supporting both safety and energy efficiency. The company also said it completed a successful trial in August 2026 of Orica's WebGen wireless blasting system at Didipio, making it the first mining operation in the Philippines to test the technology.

Automation plans coincide with continued near-mine drilling and the assessment of deeper sections of the Didipio underground mine. OceanaGold (Philippines) is also evaluating other prospects within its 5,000-hectare Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement area and hopes to resume exploration drilling at one of those sites in 2027.

Marjorie Wong-Idio, the company's manager for external affairs and communications, said the miner has not yet found the bottom of the ore body at Didipio Underground and has not reached halfway through it. As of Dec. 31, the mine has 45.2 million metric tons of measured and indicated resources, including 32 million metric tons from underground operations and 13.2 million metric tons from open-pit stockpiles, containing 1.34 million ounces of gold, 2.4 million ounces of silver and 0.16 million metric tons of copper.

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