MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Members of the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) recently gained recognition for excellence in operations from the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Agata Mining Venture Inc. (AMVI) will be representing the Philippines at the 2nd ASEAN Mineral Awards in Thailand this December. AMVI is nominated for the Best Practices in Metallic Mineral Distribution award which recognizes impact on community development, implications on ASEAN mineral supply, human resource development, productivity and resource efficiency, and measures to address health, safety, and environmental performance.
On the other hand, the Nickel Initiative 2019 Conference held last March 18 and 19 was shortlisted in Public Affairs Asia’s Gold Standard Award for Stakeholder Engagement and Gold Standard Award for Country and Trade Promotion.
The premiere business conference, which is a milestone event for the country’s nickel industry, was selected over 250 entries submitted by various industries across Asia. PNIA will represent the Philippine’s nickel industry in the awarding ceremony to be held on February 2020 in Singapore.
PNIA members were also awarded by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) as they took home a total of eleven (11) awards for excellence of their mining operations at the 66th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC).
During the event, C.T.P. Construction and Mining Corporation (CTPCMC) and Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC) got the Platinum Award for Surface Mining operations.
CTPCMC was awarded two Platinum Achievement Awards for their surface mining operations in the Barangays of Dahican and Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, and PGMC received a Platinum Achievement Award for their surface mining operation in Barangay Cagdianao in Claver, Surigao del Norte.
In addition, AMVI was awarded their second Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) for their Surface Mining operations. PMIEA is the country’s highest award for mining companies that are demonstrating excellence in environmental, safety, and health management, and community development in the conduct of its mining operations.
AMVI also placed 2nd Runner – Up in the Best Mining Forest Award and was Runner-Up for the Safest Surface Mining Operation Award.
On top of being recognized and awarded for excellence in their mining operations, PNIA members raked in awards during the Mine Safety Field Demonstration and Competition ceremonies.
PGMC was 1st Runner – Up in the Fire Extinguishing competition, Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation (MMDC) was 2nd Runner – Up in the same competition, and CTPCMC was 2nd Runner – Up in the Fire Brigade competition.
Recognizing the contribution of the mining industry to trade and exports, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also awarded PGMC as the country’s Top Exporter for the Minerals Sector.
Earlier this year, CTPCMC was titled the Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) Champion for the CARAGA region by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for their commendable achievements of their initiatives benefiting safety and health of their workers and the community.
PNIA Chairman Isidro C. Alcantara Jr. underscored the importance of aiming for excellence in mining operation standards as well as creating an impact to uplift lives of people where mines are operating.
“The industry has significantly contributed to nation building by boosting regional economic growth in the countryside. Mining helped secure a sustainable future for their families through employment, livelihood, education and other social services like health and other socio-civic programs,” Alcantara said.
PNIA President Dante R. Bravo highly commends the achievement of PNIA member companies as these successes showcase concrete efforts for sustainable and responsible mining in the Philippines.
“There is integrity in what we do, and these awards are another confirmation of the fact that we are a responsible, responsive, and ethical industry. I could not be happier with what the industry has achieved this year,” said Bravo.