Apex Mining Company Incorporated (AMCI): Its History and Socio-Economic Impact to the Municipality of Maco, Compostela Valley (1974–2016)

Abstract

This study traces Apex Mining Company, Incorporated (AMCI) beginnings in the Municipality of Maco from 1974 to 2016. Discussion includes AMCI’s role to the socio-economic development of Maco. As a pioneering historical research about Apex, the study employs both descriptive and narrative methods in documenting the history and role of AMCI in the socio-economic developments of Maco. Oral history as a historical methodology was used to augment the missing information about the company. Thus, the researcher employed oral history through interviews to fill in the gaps and substantiate the undocumented information and resource materials. To corroborate the veracity of the resource materials and information about the company, the researcher used external criticism for the authenticity of the documents or sources and internal criticism for the accuracy and the reliability of the sources and contents of the documents. The study revealed the role of AMCI in the Municipality of Maco during their operational years. The study further revealed that AMCI’s economic importance tied to the paid revenues to the government and to the socio-economic programs given by the company to the locals. The study also discussed the problems and challenges faced by AMCI and how did AMCI address with those problems. AMCI’s successful operations, its economic contributions to the Municipality of Maco, its support for the communal development of the locals and its environmental awareness had made AMCI the only public-listed mining company in the Province of Compostela Valley after the mandated closure of mining companies by President Duterte in 2016. Thus, AMCI will continually perform its obligations and responsibilities to the locals and to the Municipality of Maco as partners of development.