The government is set to recognize the country’s safest and eco-friendly mines during the prestigious Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA).
To be held as part of the 64th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC), the PMIEA in Baguio City from November 21 to 24, PMIEA awards will be given to deserving mining companies engaged in mineral exploration, quarry operation, surface mining, underground mining and mineral processing.
The PMIEA was established under Executive Order 399 on February 03, 1997 in compliance with the policy that mineral exploration activities and mining operations shall not only be proenvironment but also propeople.
The said award is being conferred every year to mining companies that showed exemplary practices in health and safety; environmental protection and rehabilitation; and community and social development and management.
The PMIEA Selection Committee, together with the PMIEA Secretariat headed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, routinely conducts serious field validation on the accomplishments of the nominees for the awards.
“As we continue to encourage our members to excel year on year, the annual awards night will recognize the best of the best of our mine workers and companies who demonstrate what responsible mining is all about,” Philippine Mine Safety and Environment President Louie Sarmiento said in a news statement.
Corollary to this, the Mining Forest Program, established by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s Administrative Order 22, Series of 1989 through the National Executive Committee, will also select the Best Mining Forest based on the set criteria and rating system.
Winners of the Safest Mines Awards and Best Mines Personalities will, likewise, be awarded during the event.
The PMIEA, which promotes occupational health and safety, sound environmental management and social responsibility in the minerals industry, hosts the annual event.
“The 64th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference again brings together advocates of responsible mining within and outside the mining communities where we operate. This includes not only the mining companies, but also our regulators, suppliers, academe, services contractors and local government units and communities,” Sarmiento said.
The theme for this year’s ANMSEC is “Responsible Mining… In the Hearts and Minds of Filipinos.”
1 comment
For mining companies, awards doesn’t matter as long as it earns big bucks from its operation. How about closing stubborn mining companies?