Didipio, 270km north of Manila, produced its first ore from open pit operations in December 2012 and expects to begin underground mining in 2019.

The company has formed a partnership with training company Site Group International to do the training at the facility, noting the broader benefits of the initiative for the Asia-Pacific region.

“OceanaGold’s Didipio underground mine will begin development in 2015 and we will need workers skilled in underground mining,” Oceana CEO and MD Mick Wilkes said.

“Our partnership with Site Skills Training will allow us to meet this need and create something for other underground miners in emerging economies to use.

“Working with the leading mining training company in the Philippines will ensure graduates meet our high standards for health and safety, trade and soft skills.”

Oceana and Site Group have reached an agreement with Mastermyne to provide guidance with the construction of that facility and input on the curriculum and training methodology.

Immersive Technologies is expected to supply underground mining simulators for the project.

Site Group CEO and MD Vern Wills welcomed the plan at a function hosted by Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell in Manila.

“We applaud the vision of OceanaGold to support the creation of the underground mining training centre that will service the industry regionally and will meet a growing need in the marketplace,” Wills said.

“OceanaGold is a company that is focused on development of their staff and working with the local community in building assets that benefit the community.”

The initiative coincides with another push by Site Group to develop heavy vehicle equipment operating skills in the region.

A separate partnership between the training company, Immersive and Caterpillar equipment dealer Monark-Cat has aimed to train to establish a state-of-the-art heavy vehicle training centre in the Philippines.

“The facility will be unique in the Philippines and will service the mining and construction industries,” Wills said.

“Well-trained operators will be safer, more productive and save on the operating and maintenance costs of the heavy vehicle.”

The creation of the training centre represents a combined investment of more than $US5 million ($A5.3 million).

Although more than 1000 students per year are expected to have access to training at the site, it will still fail to meet current and projected operator requirements.

Shares in Oceana were last trading 6.2% higher at $A3.42, while Site Group was up 7.1% at 15c.