Platinum Group Metals Corporation, the Surigao del Norte-based operating arm of listed Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., was recognized by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association for its responsible mining practices during the Awards Night of the 66th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio City.
PGMC was the recipient of the 2019 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award Selection Committee Platinum Achievement Award, Surface Mining Operation Category.
The award is bestowed to deserving companies for their outstanding levels of dedication, initiatives and innovations in the pursuit of excellence in environmental protection, safety and health management and social & community development.
Meanwhile, six mining companies received this year’s coveted Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award.
Environment undersecretary for Climate Change and Mining Concerns Analiza the, who represented Secretary Roy A. Cimatu together with Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association President Walter Brown, led the awarding during the Awards Night and Testimonial Dinner at the CAMP John Hay Trade and Cultural Center in Baguio City Friday night, which capped the 66th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference.
The four-day event is organized by the PMSEA in partnership with Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Narural Resources.
Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corporation won in the Mineral Exploration category while the Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corporation bagged the award for the Mineral Processing category.
For the Quarry Operation Category, Republic Cement and Building Materials, Inc.-Bulacan and Holcim Mining and Development Corporation”•Davao bagged the Quarry Operation category.
For the Surface Mining category, Agata Mining Ventures Inc. and Cagdianao Mining Corporation bagged the coveted award.
PMIEA recognizes outstanding levels of dedication, initiative, and innovation in the pursuit of entities involved in various aspects of mineral utilization.
The scope of the environmental management includes, among others, programs/projects/activities being implemented for the environmental protection and enhancement of mining areas, development of the host and neighboring communities, land use improvement, exploration, and mining site rehabilitation and final decommissioning.
Established under Executive Order 399 on Feb. 03, 1997, PMIEA is conferred every year to deserving groups and/or companies engaged in mining activities in the country under various categories.
All mining companies whether involved in exploration, active surface or underground operation, quarry operations and mineral processing in the country for at least a year at the time of the selection may qualify for the Award.
This year, two companies received the Titanium Award and 15 others bagged the Platinum Award.
Winning this year’s Best Mining Forest Awards were Philex Mining Corporation for the Mineral Exploration Category, Philippine Mining Service Corp. Alcoy Plant for the Mineral Processing Category. The LafargeHolcim Aggregates Inc. won the non-metallic category while FCF Minerals Corporation bagged the award for the Metallic category.
Meanwhile, the winners in the 2019 Safest Mines Awards are Filiminera Resources Corporation for Safest Mineral Exploration-A category and Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corporation for the Safest Mineral Exploration”•B category.
Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc.”•Batangas bagged the award for the Safest Quarry Operation category.
For the Safest Surface Mining Operation category, Cagdianao Mining Corporation; Safest Underground Operation, Apex Mining Company Inc.
For Safest Mineral Processing”•Crushing Plant Category, Philippine Mining Services Corporation”•Alcoy Plant took home the trophy.
Meanwhile, Coral Bay Nickel Corporation bagged the Safest Mineral Processing”•Extraction category, while Unichamp Mineral Philippines Inc. won the Safest Mineral Processing”•Calcining Plant category.
Carmen Copper Corporation won the Most Improved Safety Performance category while Cagdianao Mining Corporation bagged the Safest Mining Operation category.
The “Best Among the Best Awards” for Best Safety Inspector– Underground category went to Jonathan M. Havana of Apex Mining Co., Inc. while Archie V. Sierra of Cagdianao Mining Corp. bagged Best Safety Inspector–Surface category. Nasser L. Silongan of Apex Mining Co. Inc. and James Wilkins R. Asio of Hinatuan Mining Corp. won the Best Mine Supervisor, Underground and Surface categories, respectively.
Lastly, the Best Miner–Underground category went to Mirantes B. Helario of Apex Mining Co. Inc. while the Best Miner–Surface category went to Angelo F. Canada of Hinatuan Mining Corp.
