Thirteen (13) mining and mineral processing companies were recognized as recipients of the 2023 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) during the Testimonial Dinner and Annual Awards Night at the 69^th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) held at CAP – John Hay Trade & Cultural Center Main Hall A & B, Baguio City on November 17, 2023. The following companies bagged the coveted 2023 PMIEA: 

As mandated by Executive Order No. 399, series of 1997, the PMIEA is bestowed every year to mining companies that have shown exemplary performance in safety and health management, environmental protection and enhancement, and social and community development (SHES). The PMIEA Selection Committee (PMIEASC) and its Technical Working Group (TWG) conducted rigorous assessment and onsite validation of the accomplishments and initiatives of thirty-five (35) mining companies across the country under Surface Mining Operation, Quarry Operation, and Mineral Processing Operation categories on September 18 – October 21, 2023.

In his Welcome Address, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Field Operations – Luzon, Visayas and Environment Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna emphasized the agency’s commitment towards responsible mining and sustainable mineral development through the implementation of an effective framework that combines innovative, data-driven, and science-based processes.

The PMIEASC also awarded the Platinum and Titanium Achievement Awards to qualified mining and mineral processing companies that did not meet the required rating for the PMIEA but attained a high degree of SHES performance. The PMIEASC Achievement Awardees are the following:

In addition to the PMIEA, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Mining Forest Program (MFP) also recognized the winners of the 2023 Best Mining Forest Contest (BMFC) during the same event. The winners and runners-up of the 2023 BMFC are the following:

The MFP-NEC, through BMFC, aims to recognize the progressive rehabilitation and reforestation initiatives of mining and mineral processing companies through their MFP. The implementation of the MFP is in line with DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 22, series of 1989, and NEC Resolution No. 2005-02.

Further, the winners and runners-up for the Safest Mines Awards (SMA) and Mine’s Best Personalities are as follows:

Mr. Gerard H. Brimo, Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), affirmed the valuable contribution of the mining industry in the country’s continuous economic recovery during his Closing Remarks. He congratulated all the participants and awardees who excelled in the various fields of competition and challenged the rest to further uplift their performance and continue to strive for excellence.

The Testimonial Dinner and Annual Awards Night during the 69^th ANMSEC served as a culmination of the week-long conference, celebrating the fruition of all the efforts of the mining industry.

Photo No. 1. DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Luzon, Visayas and Environment Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna giving his Welcome Address.

Photo No. 2. Mr. Rolando R. Cruz (3^rd-L), Senior Vice President – Chief Operating Officer, and Engr. Christian Jae R. Gascon (4^th-L), Resident Mine Manager, of Cagdianao Mining Corporation with (L-R) PMSEA President and Apex Mining Company, Inc. (Diamond Sponsor) President and CEO L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 3. CTP Construction and Mining Corporation – Dahican Nickel Project represented by Engr. Charlo R. Basadre (3^rd-L), Resident Mine Manager, and Mr. Christopher J. Pimentel (4^th-L), Director, with (L-R) PMSEA President and Apex Mining Company, Inc. (Diamond Sponsor) President and CEO L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 4. Eramen Minerals, Inc.’s President Mr. Enrique C. Fernandez (4^th-L) and Vice President for Operations Engr. Alexandrie D. Amadeo (5^th-L) with (L-R) Mr. S. Imai of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation and Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (Diamond Sponsor), PMSEA President L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 5. Mr. Lorne Harvey (4^th-L), General Manager – Operations, and Atty. Rowena A. Marcos (5^th-L), Legal Counsel, of FCF Minerals Corporation with (L-R) Mr. S. Imai of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation and Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (Diamond Sponsor), PMSEA President L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 6. Hinatuan Mining Corporation – Tagana-an represented by its Senior Vice President – Chief Operating Officer Engr. Arnilo C. Milaor (3^rd-L) and Vice President and Resident Mine Manager Engr. Francisco J. Arañes Jr. (4^th-L) with (L-R) PMSEA President and Apex Mining Company, Inc. (Diamond Sponsor) President and CEO L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 7. Mr. Rolando R. Cruz (3^rd-L), Senior Vice President – Chief Operating Officer, and Engr. Artemio E. Valeroso (4^th-L), VP-Resident Manager, of Taganito Mining Corporation with (L-R) PMSEA President and Apex Mining Company, Inc. (Diamond Sponsor) President and CEO L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 8. Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation’s President Mr. Tulsi Das C. Reyes (4^th-L) and Vice President for Operations Mr. Ramon Manuel R. Briones (5^th-L) with (L-R) Mr. S. Imai of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation and Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation (Diamond Sponsor), PMSEA President L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 9. Mr. Manny C. Teng (4^th-L), COO and General Manager, and Engr. Tito L. Mendoza (5^th-L), Mining & Sustainability Manager, of Eagle Cement Corporation with (L-R) Mr. L. Harvey of FCF Minerals Corporation (Diamond Sponsor), PMSEA President L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 10. Helix Resources and Development Corporation represented by Engr. Mark Julian B. Sevilla (5^th-L), Safety Engineer, Mr. Renato A. Baja (6^th-L), President, and Engr. Dailyn A, Nivero (7^th-L), Mining and Operations Manager with (L-R) Atty. J.R.R. Romanillos of CTP Construction and Mining Corporation (Diamond Sponsor), Mr. L. Pausing II of Petron Corporation (Diamond Sponsor), PMSEA President L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada, and Mr. M.A.G. Zamora of Nickel Asia Corporation (Diamond Sponsor).

Photo No. 11. Mr. Erwin P. Cruz (3^rd-L), Plant Manager, and Mr. Lloyd A. Vicente (4^th-L), President, of Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. – Batangas with (L-R) PMSEA President and Apex Mining Company, Inc. (Diamond Sponsor) President and CEO L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 12. Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. – Teresa represented by Mr. Jimmy Torres (3^rd-L), Plant Manager, and Mr. Lloyd A. Vicente (4^th-L), President, with (L-R) PMSEA President and Apex Mining Company, Inc. (Diamond Sponsor) President and CEO L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, and DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada.

Photo No. 13. Mr. Shiro Imai (5^th-L), President, and Engr. Antonio Sanone (6^th-L), MEPEO Head, of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation with (L-R) Mr. D. Afuang of Orica Philippines Inc. (Diamond Sponsor), Mr. L. Pausing II of Petron Corporation (Diamond Sponsor), PMSEA President L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, DENR Undersecretary J.M.E. Fragada, and Mr. M.A.G. Zamora of Nickel Asia Corporation (Diamond Sponsor).

Photo No. 14. Philippine Mining Service Corporation – Alcoy Plant’s Senior Manager Director – Corporate Planning Engr. Antonio B. Castillo Jr. (4^th-L) and Community Relations Officer Ms. Joanna R. Bustamante (5^th-L) with (L-R) Mr. L. Pausing II of Petron Corporation (Diamond Sponsor), PMSEA President L.R. Sarmiento, DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, COMP Vice Chairman G.H. Brimo, DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations – Mindanao J.M.E. Fragada, and Mr. M.A.G. Zamora of Nickel Asia Corporation (Diamond Sponsor).

Photo No. 15. Engr. Artemio E. Valeroso (2^nd-L), VP-Resident Manager, and Mr. Vince Ivan Libao (3^rd-L), MEPEO, of Taganito Mining Corporation with (L-R) DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, Ms. A. Dee of Teresa Marble Corporation (trophy sponsor), and MGB Central Office MSESDD Chief Engr. M.H. Mateo.

Photo No. 16. Mr. Renier Dizon (2^nd-L), VP for Strategy and Development, and Mr. Fabian Baya (3^rd-L), Operations Manager, of Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc. – Bulacan with (L-R) DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, Ms. A. Dee of Teresa Marble Corporation (trophy sponsor), and MGB Central Office MSESDD Chief Engr. M.H. Mateo.

Photo No. 17. Coral Bay Nickel Corporation’s Pollution Control Officer Ms. Judy Cristy Riel (2^nd-L) and Environmental Specialist Mr. Rey Daanoy (3^rd-L) with (L-R) DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, Ms. A. Dee of Teresa Marble Corporation (trophy sponsor), and MGB Central Office MSESDD Chief Engr. M.H. Mateo.

Photo No. 18. Philex Mining Corporation’s Vice President for Operations and Resident Manager Engr. Ricardo S. Dolipas (2^nd-L) with (L-R) DENR Undersecretary Atty. J.M.T. Cuna, Ms. A. Dee of Teresa Marble Corporation (trophy sponsor), and MGB Central Office MSESDD Chief Engr. M.H. Mateo.

Photo No. 19. Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation – Nickel Mining Project’s Mine Production Manager Engr. Elmo C. Rosero (3^rd-L) and Safety Manager Engr. Donjeorge V. Lozano (4^th-L) with (L-R) MGB OIC Assistant Director in concurrent capacity Engr. T.A. Sandoval, PMSEA President L.R. Sarmiento, and representatives of Pilipinas Tire Solutions, Inc. (Gold Sponsor).

Photo No. 20. Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation – Gotok Limestone Quarry Project represented by its Resident Mine Manager Engr. Ronelbert A. Suguitan (4^th-L) and Senior Vice President – Chief Operating Officer Engr. Arnilo C. Milaor (5^th-L) with (L-R) Engr. L.J.H. Pascual of Mount Rock Powder Corporation (Gold Sponsor), MGB OIC Assistant Director in concurrent capacity Engr. T.A. Sandoval, PMSEA President L.R. Sarmiento, and representatives of Pilipinas Tire Solutions, Inc. (Gold Sponsor).

Photo No. 21. Mr. Gerard H. Brimo, Vice Chairman of Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, capping off the event with his Closing Remarks.

By: Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division