Paramina Breaks New Ground in Lao PDR with Major Underground Mining Contract

The contract, awarded by Vang Tat Gold Mine Sole Company, Ltd., under the Vang Tat Mining Group (VMG), represents one of Paramina’s most significant international underground mining engagements to date and strengthens the company’s growing presence across the Southeast Asian mining industry.

More Than Three Decades of Underground Mining Experience

For more than three decades, Paramina International has developed extensive capabilities in underground mine development and production, delivering mining services in the Philippines and overseas.

The company’s international experience includes projects in Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, India, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Hong Kong, and other mining jurisdictions.

Through these projects, Paramina has demonstrated the capability of Filipino mining professionals to work in diverse and technically demanding environments while supporting underground mine development and production operations.

The Vang Tat Gold Mine contract marks another important step in this continuing international growth.

Building a Strong Partnership with Vang Tat Gold Mine

The relationship between Paramina and VMG began in September 2025, when members of the VMG Board of Directors visited the Philippines.

During the visit, the delegation toured Paramina’s Equipment Rebuild Workshop in Silang, Cavite, as well as underground gold mining operations in Davao de Oro. These visits provided VMG with an opportunity to directly assess Paramina’s underground mining, equipment, and operating capabilities.

Paramina’s previous experience in Vietnam also played an important role in establishing the relationship.

VMG’s Underground Mining Director was familiar with Paramina’s previous work in Vietnam, including its involvement in the Ban Phuc Nickel Mine and the Bong Mieu and Phuoc Son gold operations.

This established track record contributed to Vang Tat Gold Mine’s interest in evaluating Paramina’s capabilities for its underground development requirements.

Following the VMG Board’s visit to the Philippines, Paramina was invited to visit the Vang Tat Gold Mine in Lao PDR. A delegation of senior management and technical personnel conducted the visit to gain first-hand knowledge of the proposed underground mining works.

After several site visits and rounds of technical and commercial discussions, Paramina submitted its final bid in early January 2026.

The company was subsequently selected as VMG’s preferred underground mining contractor, with the contract officially signed on 4 February 2026.

A Comprehensive Underground Mining Scope

The Vang Tat Gold Mine has historically been developed through open-pit mining. As mining progresses toward deeper areas, the project is transitioning toward underground development to access mineral reserves below the practical limits of the existing open-pit operation.

Paramina’s contracted scope covers a range of critical underground mining activities, including:

• Underground mine development
• Drilling and blasting
• Mucking and hauling
• Ground-support installation
• Long-hole production drilling
• Backfilling
• Provision and maintenance of specified underground mining equipment

The scope reflects the technical, operational, equipment, and manpower requirements necessary to establish and support an underground mining operation.

Addressing Underground Engineering Challenges

As with many underground mining projects, Vang Tat has presented geological, geotechnical, and operational conditions requiring continuous assessment as development progresses.

The ground conditions encountered underground have reinforced the importance of responsive ground-control systems and the need to continuously review support requirements against actual conditions observed at each development heading.

Paramina has been working closely with Vang Tat’s technical team to respond to underground conditions and strengthen the systems supporting safe mine development.

This work includes the continuing review of:

• Ground-support requirements
• Geological and geotechnical observations
• Operating procedures
• Quality controls
• Technical interfaces between the owner and contractor

This collaborative and technically disciplined approach is intended to support safe, consistent, and sustainable underground mine development.

Underground Development Begins

Groundbreaking activities for the two main portals of the underground development commenced on 15 April 2026, only a few months after the contract was signed.

As the project advances, Paramina and Vang Tat remain focused on establishing the underground infrastructure, operating systems, and technical controls required to support safe and consistent mine development and, ultimately, production.

Building a Multidisciplinary Mining Team

The project is supported by a management and technical team with more than 100 years of combined experience in underground mining project start-ups, mine development, and the transition to production.

Paramina’s operations in Lao PDR are supported through its locally registered operating entity, Paramina Lao Sole Company, Ltd.

At peak operations, the project is expected to employ a substantial multidisciplinary workforce. Filipino mining professionals will work alongside Lao, Vietnamese, and other project personnel.

Beyond project execution, the workforce will also support training and knowledge transfer, helping develop local capabilities and strengthen cooperation among professionals from different mining backgrounds.

For Paramina, this represents an opportunity to demonstrate not only Filipino underground mining expertise but also the ability of Philippine mining professionals to transfer knowledge, develop local capability, and work effectively in a multicultural operating environment.

Strengthening Regional Mining Collaboration

Paramina has also engaged with relevant Lao and Philippine government and diplomatic representatives in support of its establishment and operations in Lao PDR.

This includes engagement with the Philippine Embassy in Lao PDR and appropriate Lao government agencies in Vientiane.

The Lao Embassy in the Philippines has also provided valuable assistance to Paramina.

These engagements form part of the company’s broader efforts to establish a strong and responsible operating presence in Lao PDR.

A New Chapter for Paramina International

For Paramina International, the Vang Tat Gold Mine project represents more than a significant commercial achievement.

It is an important milestone in the company’s development as an international underground mining contractor and an opportunity to demonstrate how more than three decades of Philippine underground mining experience can contribute to an increasingly competitive regional mining industry.

As underground development progresses, Paramina remains focused on delivering safe, technically disciplined, and high-quality mining services.

Winning the contract was an important achievement, but the company recognizes that its long-term success will ultimately be measured by its ability to deliver on its commitments, work constructively with Vang Tat, and contribute to the safe and sustainable development of the Vang Tat Gold Mine.

Looking Ahead

The Vang Tat Gold Mine project marks a significant new chapter for Paramina International.

With its extensive underground mining experience, international workforce, technical capabilities, and growing regional presence, Paramina is positioned to contribute its expertise to the development of underground mining operations in Lao PDR.

The project also highlights the growing role of Filipino mining professionals in international mining projects, demonstrating how Philippine expertise, experience, and technical capability can contribute to mining operations beyond the Philippines.

Paramina International continues to break new ground—bringing Philippine underground mining expertise to the region and building partnerships for a more capable and sustainable mining future.

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Paramina International, Inc.
Underground Mining • Mine Development • Production • Drilling & Blasting • Ground Support • Mining Solutions