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Friday, March 29, 2024

Platinum trophy for Carmen Copper in annual mine safety awards

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Celebrating 14 years of responsible mining, Carmen Copper Corp. marked another milestone in winning the Presidential Mineral Industry and Environmental Award Platinum Achievement for Surface Mining Category.

Carmen Copper was cited for demonstrating outstanding safety, health and environmental management and community development in the conduct of its mining operation. This year’s Platinum award is a marked improvement from the Titanium achievement bestowed to the company in 2017.

The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau conferred the award last Nov. 23 during the 65th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference Awards Night and Testimonial Dinner at the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Baguio City.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who graced the Awards Night and Testimonial Dinner, urged all mining companies to continue creating meaningful contributions to the people  especially those who need the most intervention.

“The government and the people and private sector should both agree on the long term growth strategy to achieve sustainable mining practices that alleviate poverty, protect the environment and people and promote safety of the environment and the people,” Cimatu said in his keynote message.

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“Let’s continue to take on the challenge of reinventing the mining industry by showcasing good and improved practices of mining companies to the public. (On responsible mining) The stakeholders can say, ‘pwede naman pala?. And let us reply to them, ‘pwede talaga!’.”

“We are humbled with this recognition,” said Carmen Copper President and CEO Roy Deveraturda. 

“This year’s award is a testament to our continuous pursuit of excellence in our environmental protection, community development, and safety and occupational health management and performance,” he added.

Carmen Copper is committed to protecting and enhancing the environment and reducing the ecological footprint of its activities. It implements a progressive rehabilitation scheme in re-greening mined out areas and turning it into a forest. 

From 2007 up to June 2018, Carmen Copper has reforested a total of 633.96 hectares with 800,974 seedlings of assorted tree species. It has donated 497,246 seedlings to different organizations, interested individuals, and government agencies in support of the National Greening Program.

In promoting biodiversity, Carmen Copper continues to enrich sparsely vegetated areas and maintains 85.5 hectares of plantation including the plant arboretum that houses 2,264 seedlings of 20 native species.

Currently, the arboretum is being developed into an ecological park, with facilities and trails for visitors. The vast expanse of Carmen Copper’s man-made forests has become a refuge to wildlife and various life forms. 

Carmen Copper’s has been a consistent recipient of the MGB’s Gawad Tugas for Responsible Mining in 2015 and 2018; and Gawad Tugas for Forest Protection and Management in 2017.

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