Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga has reiterated the commitment of the agency to responsible mining through the implementation of a “pro-people, pro-environment, and science-based legislation, policies, and programs.”

Loyzaga made the commitment during the recently held 68th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio City wherein several mining companies were given recognition for operating in the most socially, economically, and environmentally responsible way.

In her keynote address, Loyzaga underscored the vital contribution of responsible mining to the country’s economic recovery.

She urged the mining sector to work with the DENR towards a sustainable future “where no ecosystem and no community are left behind.”

During the event, Loyzaga handed over the awards, including the prestigious Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA), to the honorees.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the winners and awardees for this year, especially the recipients of the prestigious [PMIEA],” Loyzaga said.

“We are certain that your exemplary achievements will set the trajectory, encourage replication, and raise awareness of the mining industry’s vital contributions to inclusive, resilient, and sustainable progress,” she added.

Created under Executive Order No. 399, series of 1997, PMIEA is conferred every year on mining companies that have exhibited exemplary performance in terms of safety and health, environmental protection and enhancement, and social development management.

This year, a total of 12 companies received the PMIEA, which was divided into three categories: surface mining operation, quarry operation, and mineral processing.

The PMIEA recipients under the surface mining operation were CTP Construction and Mining Corporation-Dahican; Eramen Minerals Inc.; FCF Minerals Corp.; Hinatuan Mining Corp.-Tagana-an; Platinum Group Metals Corp.; Taganito Mining Corp.; and TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc.-Balabag Gold-Silver Project.

For quarry operation, the awardees were Republic Cement Mindanao Inc., Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc.-Batangas, and Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc.-Teresa.

Coral Bay Nickel Corp. and Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corp. received the PMIEA under the mineral processing category.

The DENR also conferred Platinum and Titanium Achievement Awards on 17 mining companies, which fell short of the required rating for the PMIEA yet still exhibited “high degree of performance” in terms of safety and health, environmental protection and enhancement, and social development management.

At the same time, the DENR gave the Best Mining Forest Awards to Taganito Mining Corp. for metallic category; Republic Cement & Building Materials Inc.-Bulacan for non-metallic; Coral Bay Nickel Corp. for mineral processing plant; and Philex Mining Corp. for exploration. Eleven other firms were proclaimed runners up.

The Safest Mines Award was given to OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. under the category underground mining operation category, mineral processing-concentrator and safest mining operation; TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc.-Balabag Gold-Silver Project for surface mining operation; Republic Cement & Building Materials, Inc.-Batangas for quarry operation; Makilala Mining Company Inc. for exploration A; and Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. for exploration B.

The winners under the mineral processing category were Coral Bay Nickel Corp. (extraction); Graymont (Philippines), Inc. (calcining plant); and Philippine Mining Service Corporation-Bohol Plant (crushing plant).

Taganito Mining Corp. won the Most Improved Safety Performance Award.

Meanwhile, safety inspectors, mine supervisors, and miners from the TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc.–Balabag Gold-Silver Project, Apex Mining Company Inc., and Platinum Group Metals Corp. were named Mine’s Best Personalities.