On November 18, 2016, three (3) mining companies received the prestigious Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) for their exemplary efforts in achieving environmentally and socially responsible surface mining and mineral processing operations, during the celebration of the 63rd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) held at CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center Baguio City.
Among the notable 2016 PMIEA awardees are the following:
• OceanaGold (Phils.), Incorporated (Surface Mining Operation Category)
• SR Metals, Incorporated (Surface Mining Operation Category)
• Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (Mineral Processing Category)
The PMIEA was established under the Executive Order No. 339, Series of 1997, to recognize exemplary efforts of the mining groups and companies in achieving environmentally and socially responsible exploration, mining and mineral processing operations.
Likewise, the following companies achieved a degree of superior performance in environment, safety and health and were conferred by PMIEA Selection Committee Achievement Awards:
| Category | Contractor/Permittee/Permit Holder | Award |
| Mineral Exploration | Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corporation | PLATINUM |
| Silangan Mindanao Mining Company, Inc. | PLATINUM | |
| Tambuli Mining Company, Inc. | TITANIUM | |
| Quarry Operation | Holcim Mining and Development Corp. - Bulacan Plant | PLATINUM |
| Holcim Mining and Development Corp. - Davao Plant | PLATINUM | |
| Holcim Mining and Development Corp. - La Union Plant | PLATINUM | |
| Eagle Cement Corporation | TITANIUM | |
| LafargeHolcim Aggregates, Inc. | TITANIUM | |
| Surface Mining Operation | Cagdianao Mining Corporation | PLATINUM |
| Greenstone Resources Corporation | PLATINUM | |
| Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation | PLATINUM | |
| Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. | TITANIUM | |
| Hinatuan Mining Corporation – Tagana-an | TITANIUM | |
| Platinum Group Metals Corporation | TITANIUM | |
| Taganito Mining Corporation | TITANIUM | |
| Mineral Processing | Apo Cement Corporation | PLATINUM |
| Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation | TITANIUM |
Furthermore, the winners of the 2016 Best Mining Forest Contest, Safest Mines Awards and Best Mines Personalities were also awarded during the said event.
This year’s over-all winners for Best Mining Forest Contest are the following:
• Taganito Mining Corporation (Metallic Category)
• Holcim Resources and Development Corporation (Non-metallic Category)
• Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (Mineral Processing Category)
• Aglubang Mining Corporation (Exploration Category)
The Best Mining Forest Contest was established by virtue of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 22, Series of 1989.
Runners-up for 2016 Best Mining Forest Contest are the following:
| Category | Company | Ranking |
| Metallic Category | Philex Mining Corporation | 1st Runner-up |
| Carmen Copper Corporation | 2nd Runner-up | |
| OceanaGold (Phils.), Incorporated | 3rd Runner-up | |
| Non-metallic Category |
Holcim Mining and Development Corporation – Davao Plant |
1st Runner-up |
| Holcim Mining and Development Corporation – La Union Plant | 2nd Runner-up | |
| Solid Earth Development Corporation | 3rd Runner-up | |
| Mineral Processing Category | Philippine Mining Service Corporation – Alcoy Plant | 1st Runner-up |
| Apo Cement Corporation | 2nd Runner-up | |
| Exploration Category | Silangan Mindanao Mining Co., Inc. | 1st Runner-up |
Below are winners and runners-up for the 2016 Safest Mines Awards:
| Category | Company | Ranking |
| Safest Surface Mining Operation Award | OceanaGold (Phils.), Incorporated | Winner |
| SR Metals, Inc. | Runner-up | |
| Safest Cement Operation Award | Northern Cement Corporation | Winner |
| Holcim Mining and Development Corporation - La Union | Runner-up | |
| Safest Quarry Operation Award | Solid Earth Development Corporation | Winner |
| LafargeHolcim Aggregates, Inc. | Runner-up | |
| Safest Exploration - Category A | Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corporation | Winner |
| Silangan Mindanao Mining Co., Inc. | Runner-up | |
| Safest Exploration - Category B | Tambuli Mining Co., Inc. | Winner |
| Safest Mineral Processing - Cement Plant Category Award | Apo Cement Corporation | Runner-up |
| Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. | Winner | |
| Safest Mineral Processing - Concentrator Category Award | OceanaGold (Phils.), Incorporated | Winner |
| Safest Mineral Processing - Extraction Category Award | Coral Bay Nickel Corporation | Winner |
| Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation | Runner-up | |
| Safest Mineral Processing - Crushing Plant Category Award | Philippine Mining Service Corporation - Bohol Plant | Winner |
| Montalban Millex Aggregates Corporation | Runner-up | |
| Safest Mineral Processing - Calcining Plant Category Award | Benguet Management Corporation - Timber and Lime Multi-Purpose Cooperative | Winner |
| Most Improved Safety Performance | Platinum Group Metals Corporation | Winner |
| Safest Mining Operation: Metallic Category | OceanaGold (Phils.), Incorporated | Winner |
| Safest Mining Operation: Non-metallic Category | Solid Earth Development Corporation | Winner |
Best Mines Personalities for 2016 were also recognized during the said event:
| Category |
Underground/ Surface |
Name | Company | Manhours |
| Safety Inspector | Underground | Jerrel K. Lagoyyo | Benguet Corp. - Acupan Project | 139,570.00 |
| Surface | James M. Paje | Taganito Mining Corp. | 3,110,061.16 | |
|
Mine Supervisor |
Underground | Juan B. Napudo | Benguet Corp. - Acupan Project | 112,733.00 |
| Surface | Royvel V. Jumalon | Platinum Group Metals Corp. | 4,937,773.40 | |
|
Miner |
Underground | Martin L. Onnan | Benguet Corp. - Acupan Project | 2,784.00 |
| Surface | Junrey A. Roda | SR Metals, Inc. | 3,804.00 |
By: Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division
2016 PMIEA Surface Mining Operation Category Winner: OceanaGold (Phils.), Incorporated (L to R) Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng, Mr. Mick Wilkes, Mr. Jose Leviste, Jr. and Engr. Louie R. Sarmiento
2016 PMIEA Surface Mining Operation Category Winner: SR Metals, Incorporated (L to R) Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng, Mr. Miguel Alberto Gutierrez, Mr. Jeffrey Robert Dawson, and Engr. Louie R. Sarmiento
2016 PMIEA Mineral Processing Category Winner: Coral Bay Nickel Corporation for (L to R) Atty. Danilo U. Uykieng, Mr. Shinichi Takei, Mr. Takanori Fujimura, and Engr. Louie R. Sarmiento