On November 26, 2021, nine (9) mining and mineral processing companies received the prestigious 2021 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) during the hybrid awarding ceremony of the 67th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC).
This year’s Presidential Awardees are the following:
- Agata Mining Ventures, Inc.
- Berong Nickel Corporation
- Hinatuan Mining Corporation – Tagana-an
- Platinum Group Metals Corporation
- Taganito Mining Corporation
- Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. – Bulacan
- Coral Bay Nickel Corporation
- Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corporation
- Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation
To comply with the protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, only one (1) representative per company was accommodated in the face-to-face event at Seda Vertis North, Quezon City. Likewise, officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), including members of PMIEA Selection Committee (PMIEASC), Mining Forest Program (MFP) – National Executive Committee (NEC), and Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) graced the said event.
As part of the safety protocols, recorded acceptance speeches of the key officials of each PMIEA recipient were presented during awarding ceremony. The said videos emphasized the success stories of the above-mentioned companies as to their best practices in safety and health management, environmental protection, and community development and their commitment in embodying responsible mining.
The joyous reunion of the mining industry players was led by MGB Regional Director Felizardo Gacad and Ms. Lia Guerrero, the masters of the ceremony.
Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, MGB Director, warmly welcomed all the onsite and virtual guests and participants by pointing out that despite the economic impediments brought about by the pandemic, the commitment of the mining companies in combating COVID-19 and providing aid/assistance to mining communities was very much present.
Usec. Jim O. Sampulna, DENR Undersecretary for Attached Agencies, Mining and Muslim Affairs, delivered the Keynote Speech on behalf of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu highlighting the theme for this year’s conference: “Pusong Minero – The Silent Heroes of the Pandemic”. The message stressed the performance beyond compliance of the mining companies, especially in these trying times, which then demonstrated the real meaning of Pusong Minero – a heart that share and cares. Contribution of the industry in terms of Social Development and Management Program spending for COVID-19 vaccines, assistance to frontliners and social amelioration, among others, were also mentioned.
The awarding ceremony was a joint activity of DENR, MGB and PMSEA. In Dr. Walter W. Brown’s message, PMSEA President, he handed his congratulations to the winners and expressed thanks to DENR and MGB for untiringly appreciating the great work of the mining companies and for recognizing their role as the government’s partners towards sustainable use of the country’s mineral resources. Engr. Luis R. Sarmiento, PMSEA Board Director, represented Dr. Brown in the said event.
Mr. Gerard H. Brimo, Chairman of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, together with Usec. Jim Sampulna handed the trophies to the Presidential Awardees. On the other hand, Asec. Nonita Caguioa, DENR Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns, and Mr. Joey Nelson R. Ayson, President of Philippine Mining and Exploration Association and as member of the PMIEASC, joined the representatives of the PMIEA Selection Committee Platinum and Titanium Achievement Awardees on stage.
The winners and runners-up for the Best Mining Forest Contest were awarded by Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna, DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations and Environment; Engr. William P. Cuñado, Director of Environmental Management Bureau and as member of the MFP-NEC; Engr. Roland A. De Jesus, MGB Assistant Director; and Engr. Marcial H. Mateo, Chief of Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division of MGB. The trophies for the Safest Mine Awardees and runners-up were presented by Usec. Juan Miguel T. Cuna; Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, and Engr. Luis R. Sarmiento, on behalf of Dr. Walter W. Brown.
The awarding ceremony was concluded with heartwarming message of Engr. Roland A. De Jesus, encouraging all the companies who did not make it to the list of awardees to do more and strive for more – for the environment, for the safety of the workforce, and for the continued progress of mining communities. Moreover, sincere gratitude was expressed to the various committee members and working groups behind the scrupulous selection processes under the new normal.
The complete list of recipients of the 2021 PMIEA and the PMIEA Selection Committee Achievement Awards, and the winners and runners-up of the Best Mining Forest Contest and Safest Mines Awards can be accessed here.
By: Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division
The event’s host, MGB Regional Director Felizardo A. Gacad and Ms. Lia Guerrero
Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano. MGB Director, delivering the welcoming remarks
Engr. Luis R. Sarmiento, PMSEA Board Director, delivering the message of the PMSEA President,
Dr. Walter W. Brown
Usec. Jim O. Sampulna delivering the Keynote Speech of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu
MGB Assistant Director Roland A. De Jesus delivering the closing remarks
Engr. Ferdinand A. Cortes, Vice President of Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corporation (MMPRC),
receiving the PMIEA trophy of MMPRC under Mineral Processing Category
Mr. Masahiro Kamiya, President of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) receiving the PMIEA trophy
of CBNC under Mineral Processing Category
Mr. Shiro Imai, Executive Vice President of Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation, (THPAL) receiving the
PMIEA trophy of THPAL under Mineral Processing Category
Mr. Rogelio Leonardo, Vice President for Operations and Plant Manager of Republic Cement
and Building Materials, Inc. (RCBMI) – Bulacan receiving the PMIEA trophy of RCBMI - Bulacan
under Quarry Operation Category
Mr. Rommel L. Cruz, Nickel Asia Corporation Vice President for Operations, receiving the PMIEA trophy
of Hinatuan Mining Corporation – Tagana-an under Surface Mining Operation Category
Mr. Tulsi Das Reyes, President of Berong Nickel Corporation (BNC), receiving the PMIEA trophy of BNC
under Surface Mining Operation Category
Mr. Dante Bravo, President of Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC), receiving the PMIEA trophy of
PGMC under Surface Mining Operation Category
Ms. Cynthia Marie S. Delfin, President of Agata Processing, Inc./Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. (AMVI),
receiving the PMIEA trophy of AMVI under Surface Mining Operation Category
Mr. Jose Bayani D. Baylon, Nickel Asia Corporation Vice President of Corporate Communications and
Head of Public and Social Affairs Group, receiving the PMIEA trophy of Taganito Mining Corporation
under Surface Mining Operation Category