IN the wake of the spate of earthquakes that rocked Southern Philippines, various stakeholders, including mining’s big players and allied industries, will gather for the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in Baguio City.
Billed as the forerunner in the promotion of occupational safety and health, environmental management and social responsibility, the ANMSEC is organized by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA).
The 66th ANMSEC, from November 19 to 22 at the CAP, Camp John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, commemorates 66 years of responsible mining.
“We’ve prepared an array of activities that highlights mining’s best practices and commitment to mine safety and environment of member-companies,” Dr. Walter Brown, president of PMSEA, said in a statement.
This year’s gathering is seen as an opportunity for mining companies and and mining-support industries to affirm their commitment to ensuring mine and environmental safety with the social responsibility to respond to disasters such as the recent Mindanao earthquakes in mind.
PMSEA-member mining companies were among the first to respond to the disaster in Mindanao, where a series of strong earthquakes in just two weeks in October claimed the lives of 22 people.
The four-day event will be capped by dinners, welcome night and cocktails, mining night for guests and participants.
The event will be highlighted by the awarding of the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) which recognizes the outstanding levels of dedication, initiative and innovation, in the pursuit of excellence in environmental management in mineral development and utilization.
This year’s theme: “Culture, Care, Change” highlights the resilience of the industry to the challenges to the minerals development sector around the globe.
The four-day event kicks off with a Holy Mass followed by the opening ceremony for the annual mining exhibition on Tuesday morning.
The first day will be highlighted by a Bouganvillea Planting activity by DIWATA or Women in Resource Development Inc., a nongovernment organization composed of women in mining, advocating the responsible development of the Philippines’s wealth in resources.