On September 16, 2020, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau showed its support for the Luzon and Visayas rollout of the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Program via Zoom app. The rollout was comprised of around 50 participants – the TSM Initiative Leaders representing member-companies of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) with projects from the Luzon and Visayas regions.

The event was hosted by the Embassy of Canada through COMP and was also graced by the Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, H. E. Peter MacArthur.

The TSM program was created by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) in 2004. It is a set of tools and indicators to drive performance and ensure key mining risks are managed sensibly, and best practices are applied at COMP member facilities. According to COMP, it is their goal to see an industry that goes further than mere compliance with the laws and regulations governing mining.

MGB Acting Director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano was invited by COMP to give his words of encouragement to the said rollout. Director Moncano expressed his delight in the mining association's active preparation for the establishment of the oversight function since its adoption in 2017. He stated that it was a milestone for the Philippine mining industry to have the TSM Program as it will surely bring the country forward through better mining initiatives.

He also expressed his gratitude for complying with Department of Environment and Natural Resources Sec. Hon. Roy A. Cimatu's challenge to be a greater contributor to national development.

Furthermore, Director Moncano challenged the TSM initiative leaders and other member-companies that it must ensure the set of tools and indicators to be adopted must be committed to managing mining for its sustainable development. He notes of the greater task in the industry is to come up with formidable policies and programs to sustainably aid with the recovery of mined-out areas and to efficiently mitigate the social impact on host communities. He hopes with the principles carried by TSM, that it shall be a primary concern for the program. He added that the government is in full support of its development and integration into the mining industry.

Additionally, The Mindanao rollout of the TSM program commenced last August 26, 2020 with ROXIII Regional Director in attendance to also give his words of encouragement.

By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division