Sunday, November 26, 2006 Mining firm bags highest environmental award
THE Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) honored Sagittarius Mines, Inc. as the top recipient of the Presidential Mining Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) during the 53rd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference held in Baguio City recently.
Sagittarius, which has recently completed the pre-feasibility stage of its copper and gold project in Tampakan, South Cotabato, was cited for its outstanding level of dedication, initiative, and innovation in the pursuit of excellence in environmental management.
Michael Cabalda, chief of the mining environment and safety division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, described the PMIEA as "the highest award to be given to a mining company."
The PMIEA gives recognition to programs and projects being implemented for the environmental protection and enhancement of mining areas, development of the host and neighboring communities, land use improvement, exploration and mining site rehabilitation and final project decommissioning.
In accepting the award, Jose Sebua, Sagittarius environment department head, said: "The presidential award gained by the company this year is the result of innovative implementation of environmental, social and safety initiatives fully supported by the host community and the commitment of our top management. We always try to employ best available practices even if we exceed what is required."
It was the second time for the company to be honored by the PMSEA as a PMIEA recipient. In 2004, the PMIEA selection committee gave Sagittarius the Titanium Achievement Award "in recognition of its very satisfactory environmental, safety and health management and community development in the conduct of its mineral exploration."
This year, Sagittarius was also given a special award for its forest development program, although the company is not yet required under the law to implement a forestry project.
Cabalda, who heads both technical working groups of the awards committees, said, "Sagittarius was given a Special Award for the Best Mining Forest Program because they have gone beyond what's expected of them. Even if Sagittarius is among the companies that are still in the exploration stage it has already planted areas they know they won't touch; they have already created a buffer zone, even before they start actual mining operations."
Grateful for the special award, Sebua said buffer zone development in the Tampakan project area makes use of "the best available technology generated through research in collaboration with the leading universities here and abroad."
Other 2006 PMIEA awardees include: Holcim Philippines, Inc., Cagdianao Mining Corp., Philex Mining Corp., Philex Gold Philippines, Inc. Taganito Mining Corp. and Hinatuan Mining Corp.
In a separate development, Sagittarius' foreign partner Indophil Resources NL received recognition for the efforts of Sagittarius/Indophil in exploration and development in the Philippines by the London Mining Journal during its annual international Mines & Money Conference.
In an industry peer vote at this conference, attended by more than 1,500 delegates, Indophil received the Perseverance Award for continuing to successfully manage the ongoing development of the Tampakan project.
