Saturday, July 12, 2008 Aussie school lauds mining firm for environmental plan
AN Australian Government-backed training on environmental management for officials of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) featured the initiatives of Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. (TCPI).
Participants of the workshop on “Managing Environmental Issues within the Regulatory Framework of the Minerals Sector in the Philippines” visited the TCPI plant in San Fernando, Cebu and mined-out areas operated by Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) last May 8 to see for themselves and learn from the highly-recognized initiatives and programs of the Japanese-run firms in Cebu.
They also learned from the joint Social Development and Management Program that both companies have adopted, and from their Environmental Enhancement and Protection Program.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) chose the operations of TCPI and SEDC to showcase the best practices that have been adopted in the country’s mining industry in the training conducted on May 4 to 10 here in Cebu by the University of Queensland - Sustainable Minerals Institute (UQ-SMI) based in Brisbane, Australia.
The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association with DENR-MGB awarded TCPI twice in a row in 2006 and 2007 for operating the “Safest Mineral Processing Plant” (cement plant category).
They also cited SEDC during the awarding last November for keeping the “Safest Quarry Operation.” (PR)
