<P> Caraga Region likewise occupies the northern and central part of the Eastern Mindanao Gold District, one of the principal gold belts of the country . The province is traditionally known for its productive epithermal to mesothermal gold ± silver deposits even during the pre-WWII times and has been a prime producer of the royal metal during the last two decades . Gold mineralization is generally associated with Miocene to Pliocene plutonic and volcanic rocks of calc - alkalic affinity . </P> <P> The discovery of the Boyongan porphyry copper deposit further enhance the mineral prospectivity of the region in targeting additional concealed copper ± gold deposits beneath or adjacent to known upper - level hydrothermal gold systems . The recognition of presence of telescoped epithermal--hypothermal deposit pairs offers a new dimension in copper--gold exploration for the Region . </P> <P> In terms of potential for gold, Surigao del Norte still ranks high followed by Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte . For porphyry copper, rank is still the same although Agusan del Norte have a slight edge than Agusan del Sur as low - level diorite is already exposed in the Asiga area . At present, Surigao del Sur relatively ranks as lowest in potential for both epithermal gold and porphyry copper prospects among the provinces of the Region although its prospectivity may improve as exploration work progresses in the future . </P> <P> Geologically, manganese prospects in the region are typically associated with basaltic rocks . Numerous, although sporadic occurrences are reported in the basalts in Surigao del Sur as well as in basalt--limestone contact in RTR town, Agusan del Norte . Continuity is less established and is deemed amenable at present to small scale mining . </P>

Three provinces that are most productive copper and gold producers in the philippines