The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) is recognizing its exemplary member-companies in the local mining industry by giving them citations during the Presidential Mineral Industry and Environmental Awards (PMIEA) on November 18.
These mining firms are being cited for their best practices in the industry and for their continuing effort to protect the environment in the awards event that will close the 63rd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) at the CAP-John Hay Trade Center and Cultural Center in Camp John Hay, Baguio City.
The award is conferred every year to mining companies that show exemplary practices in safety and health, environmental protection and rehabilitation, and community and social development and management.
The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), Philippine Society of Mining Engineers and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources organize the yearly ANMSEC.
The 2016 winners will be announced on the Awards Night after a stringent selection process. In 2015, five companies – Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc., SR Metals Inc., OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc., Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp., and Coral Bay Nickel Corp. – gained the PMIEA Award.
Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corp./Galeo Equipment Corp., Apo Cement Corp., and Holcim Philippines – La Union Plant also gained the Platinum Achievement Award last year.
Holcim’s Davao plant, along with Lafarge Republic Aggregates Inc., Eagle Cement Corp., Lafarge Republic – Bulacan Plant, Minimax Mineral Exploration Corporation/Agata Mining Ventures Inc., and Cagdianao Mining Corp. took home the Titanium Achievement Awards also.
For 2016, 23 companies were shortlisted for the awards by the PMIEA Selection Committee and Secretariat. They listed 11 surface mining operations, six quarry operations, three mineral exploration companies and three mineral processing companies.
“These awardees are leading examples of responsible mining in the country and the world,” said Chamber of Mines executive vice president Nelia Halcon, who is among the judges for the PMIEA.
“Despite the challenges that continue to hound the minerals industry, there remain companies which are fully committed to protecting the environment and bettering the communities and the country.”
PMIEA’s strict requirements include full compliance with environmental policies; establishment of a contingent Liability Fund; an approved Social Management and Development Program; zero fatal accident for the coverage period; and no significant damage to lives and properties as a result of mining operations.
“The pursuit for world class operations, long before the PMIEA was established, is worth emulating. While deserving of trophies, their achievements also entail unwavering commitment to our advocacy of responsible mining,” Halcon added.
The PMIEA was established under Executive Order No. 399 on February 03, 1997 in compliance with the policy that mineral exploration and mining operation should be pro-environment and pro-people. This recognition is in line with the call for the Philippine mining industry to promote and practice responsible mining.