Canadian mining consultant kidnapped in Philippines
John Ridsdel (left), is the former chief operating officer of mining company TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of Vancouver-based TVI Pacific, where he is still a consultant. — Photo courtesy TVIRD
According to the Associated Press at least 11 men armed with pistols and two rifles entered the Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort on Samal Island off Davao City in the Philippines on Monday.
The gunmen seized Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and a Filipino woman and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, who was the resort's marina manager.
Philippine Government forces with planes and helicopters were scouring the waters and coastal areas in the Davao Gulf.
Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs said late Monday the federal government is aware of reports that Canadians were kidnapped in the Philippines and is "pursuing all appropriate channels to seek further information."
John Ridsdel is reported to be the former chief operating officer of mining company TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of Vancouver-based TVI Pacific, where he is still a consultant.
About TVI Pacific Inc.
TVI Pacific Inc. is a Canadian resource company focused on the production, development, exploration and acquisition of resource projects in the Asia Pacific region. TVI's track record of success includes putting the first foreign invested mine into production in the Philippines after the passage of the Philippines Mining Act of 1995. From 2004 to 2014, the Canatuan mine produced 105,200 ounces of gold, 1.8 million ounces of silver, 199,778 dry metric tonnes of copper concentrate and 30,558 dry metric tonnes of zinc concentrate.
TVI currently holds a 30.66% interest in TVIRD, a private Philippine resource company engaged in the production of nickel laterite ore at the Agata project as well as the completion of a definitive feasibility study on a nickel processing facility. Additionally, TVIRD is focused on advancing its 100% owned Balabag Gold-Silver project towards production and achieving a listing on the PSE in 2015. In addition to its interest in TVIRD, TVI also holds (i) a 28.26% equity interest in Foyson Resources Limited; (ii) a 14.4% equity interest in Mindoro Resources Ltd.; (iii) a 10% interest in the Amazon Bay Iron Sands project in Papua New Guinea; and (iv) a 100% investment in shares of TG World.
