Graduate students Mr. Mark Sumaden and Mr. Kirk Justin Ramos, along with Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio of the Rushurgent Working Group (RWG), participated in the NEXUS Program held at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, from May 26 to June 15, 2025. The NEXUS Program is an international research and education initiative supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). It focuses on securing mineral resources essential for green technology and sustainable development. The program brings together participants from Japan and three Southeast Asian countries—the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam—to foster regional cooperation in mineral resource studies. During the program, Mr. Mark Sumaden presented his research plans on the Fatima epithermal veins in the Mankayan Mineral District, while Mr. Kirk Justin Ramos shared an overview of his ongoing study on the geometallurgical characteristics of refractory gold ore from the Bonanza–Sandy epithermal vein system in the Masara Gold District. Their research contributes to a deeper understanding of copper and gold ore deposits, which are vital to the development of green and sustainable technologies.
