Once an active mining area that is operated by Benguet Corporation, the oldest and pioneering mining company in the Philippines, the Balatoc Mines have been converted into a show mine that provides thrill and experience of being like a gold miner for a day. Guests will be asked to don boots and hard hats and will descend into the tunnel via a mine train. Once inside, ex-miners will show how tunnels are dug and strengthened, how gold-bearing ores are sorted out from rocks and transported to the surface. The tunnel has an old furnace where ores are melted and poured into moulds. The tunnel also has a museum which exhibits rock samples and mining tools which were used by miners, and a simulated Explosion adds excitement to the atmosphere.
Meeting/pick-up point: Pick-up at the hotel.
Duration: 3 hours.
Languages: English.