Philex wins PMSEA awards in reforestation, field events

TUBA, Benguet –Philex Mining Corp. has won awards in reforestation and field events at the recently concluded annual conference organized by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), in Baguio City.

 The gold-and-copper producer, which entered this year its sixth decade of operations rooted on responsible mining, was adjudged First Runner-Up for Best Mining Forest, Metallic Category, granted Nov. 18 by PMSEA, which held its 63rd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC), at the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center.

Philex Mining’s Silangan Project, in Surigao del Norte, was also granted the Platinum recognition—for Exploration—under the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA). Owned by the Silangan Mindanao Mining Co., Inc., a subsidiary of Philex Mining, the Silangan Project also won First Runner-Up, Exploration Category, for Best Mining Forest Award, as well as Runner-Up, Exploration-A Category, for Safest Mines Award.

                “There is no doubt that Philex Mining has, through the years, adhered to its tenet of responsible mining,” the company’s CEO and president, Eulalio Austin, Jr., said. “We have even raised it a notch higher—that of putting a human face on responsible mining through social projects, such as free education, health-care services and public infrastructure, as well as environmental protection covering our host and neighboring communities.”

At the PMSEA Mine Field Events, held Nov. 18 at the grounds of Melvin Jones Grandstand after a parade done on the last day of the four-day 63rd ANMSEC, Elmer Dapdapig, a miner at the Mine Development Dept. of Philex Mining’s Padcal operations, was named champion in Hand Mucking while Norlie Cabacungan and Jonathan Ay-yato were champions in Machine Drilling.

Joey Catubing and Reyes Asan, also miners at Padcal’s Mine Development Dept., were Runners-Up in Machine Drilling while Joe Andrew Estorpe, an underground mechanic at Padcal’s Mine, Mechanical and Related Services Dept., clinched the First Runner-Up award in Firefighting.

Roosevelt Rosalin, manager of Padcal’s Safety/Loss Control Dept. who led the company’s 33-man delegation to the PMSEA field events, said his team was happy with their performance. “We did our best, and the team spirit was high. We will try to do better and improve our record next year.”

Taganito Mining Corp. was the winner in Best Mining Forest for its Nickel Silicate Ore Mining Project, in Surigao del Norte, while Aglubang Mining Corp.’s Mindoro Nickel Project, in Oriental Mindoro, led Silangan for Best Mining Forest, and Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corp.’s Mabilo Project, in Camarines Norte, prevailed over Silangan in the Safest Mines Award.

                Philex Mining holds an Integrated Management System (IMS) Certificate, granted by the Germany-based technical services provider TÜV Rheinland, which covers the miner’s environmental management system and safety management. The latter includes operations in mining, milling, and tailings storage facilities.

                The certification consists of ISO 14001:2004—from the International Organization for Standardization—which is a systematic approach to improving environmental-protection efforts, and OHSAS 18001:2007, a British Standard and external assessment of Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Management Systems.  

                 Philex Mining, which was listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) in Nov. 1956, has shelled out P65 million for reforestation program since 1987 that involves the planting and nurturing of eight million different tree species, with a 90-percent survival rate, at its mine site in Tuba and Itogon. A community-based reforestation in the area was begun in the 1960s as a livelihood project for the stakeholders.