ABOUT US

HISTORY

The ASEAN Federation of Mining Associations was officially formed on June 19, 1984 as a result of the efforts, interest and cooperation among the Indonesian Mining Association, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, the Malaysian Chamber of Mines and the Mining Industry Council of Thailand, in their desire of advancing the goal of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) It was, however, on February 15, 1985 when the Constitution of AFMA was signed by the Presidents of the four (4) founding members.

The Federation is a private non-stock and non-profit organization with address located in the country of the Secretary-General, until such time as a permanent domicile is decided upon by the General Assembly.

The officers of the Federation are the President, the Vice President and the Secretary-General, elected by the General Assembly.

Membership of the Federation is composed of national members, associate members and special members. AFMA opens its membership to national mining associations that represent the private mineral industry sector of ASEAN countries. The Lao Mining Association joined AFMA on July 19, 2004.

OBJECTIVES

- To foster cooperation and mutual assistance among the members;
- To promote the dissemination and exchange of information on the mineral policies, laws and regulations of member countries;
- To foster research and studies of subjects relevant to the mineral industry;
- To adopt measures to protect the mineral industry in Southeast Asia;
- To hold symposia, conferences, congresses, meetings, workshops and exhibitions, to update members on new or advanced mining techniques and technologies;
- To establish and maintain relations with other international mining bodies; and
- To represent the mineral industry of Southeast Asia in international conferences, congresses, and meetings concerning the mineral industry.

The first Asia Pacific Mining Conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand in 1988. This was at a time when most if not all of the countries in the region were formulating their respective mining laws. The succeeding conferences/exhibition were held in Manila in 1992, Jakarta, Indonesia in 1994 and 1996, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2000. All these conferences were international in scope, dealing with common issues and concerns as well as latest developments in the mining and minerals industry.

The 5th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Minerals (ASSOM) held in Indonesia in 2003 considered and agreed on the concept of establishing a Forum for Private Sector Cooperation in Minerals in ASEAN and the First Forum was held in Vientianne, Lao PDR on July 19, 2004, before the meeting of ASSOM. The Second Forum was held in Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia on August 1, 2005 where all the members agreed to conduct a strategic planning session for AFMA members. This shall be held in Manila on October 10, 2005.

The Presidency of AFMA and its Secretary-General is rotated every two years. For the 2004-2005 session, AFMA's President is the President of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Mr. Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez. The Vice President is the Chairman of the Indonesian Mining Association, Mr, Jeffrey Mulyono. AFMA's Secretary General is the Executive Vice President of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Ms. Nelia C. Halcon. The Presidency Lodged to Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez has been extended for 2006 and 2007, hence the conference being held again in the Philippines.

HISTORY

A letter of application should be filed with the Secretary-General. The application should state the applicant's legal status, membership it represents, standing with the country's mineral industry, the officers and other relevant information.

The Executive Council shall act upon the application within 60 days from receipt by the Secretary-General.