The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau on Friday challenged mining companies to meet higher standards on safety and environmental protection.
“We are challenging mining companies to meet the higher standards we’ve set in terms of protecting the environment and communities in mining areas. We know it’s not easy for them, but the MGB will leave no stone unturned in making sure all mining operations are compliant, safe, well-rehabilitated and responsible to their environment,” MGB director Wilfredo Moncano said.
“This goes for large-scale mining companies as well as small-scale mining players. You either mine responsibly or you don’t mine; there is no middle ground,” he added.
He encouraged the six companies that were presented with the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award during the recently concluded Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference as “good examples” for the rest of the mining industry to follow.
The companies awarded were Agata Mining Ventures Inc. and Cagdianao Mining Corp. for the surface mining category; Holcim Mining and Development Corp. and Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc. for quarry operations category, Republic Cement and Building Materials Inc.; Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corp. for mineral processing category, and Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corp. for mineral exploration category.
“For these awards, we don’t only award based on the safety and sustainability of their mining operations. We scrutinize what they do after mining. How fast and thorough was rehabilitation done? How was the area reforested and how many trees were planted? How did they translate their economic gain to good public facilities such as schools and clinics for the local community? How were they able to work with indigenous communities?” Moncano asked.
“Definitely it’s good to have these examples to highlight the work that’s already being done in the industry, but so many other operators must catch up,” he said.