THE miners are in town!
The delegates to the 63rd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) are now in this city for their yearly gathering. Baguio City is the home of the PMSEA and the mine safety week as everything started here when the group was initially called the Baguio Mine Safety Association. Over the years, PMSEA has kept the tradition of going back to its roots and celebrating the accomplishments and accolades of its industry members as regards responsible mining best practices.
This year's theme is "63 Years of Responsible Mining: Moving Forward by Doing it Right." I am not aware of how the group came up with the theme but I have an inkling it is because of the recent DENR mine audit and pronouncements by and directions of the new administration on the spate of the mining industry in the country. Perhaps it is timely that everything is happening the way it is today. For one, doing things right will always be the proper thing to do - no exception!
There will always be bad eggs. In the mining industry, there definitely are bad eggs. Although these irresponsible operators (large and small alike) should not have been allowed to continue with their activities, the recent developments in the industry serve as a wakeup call to all stakeholders that the time is now. Change should come. And Change will come - hopefully for the better.
The Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM), in coordination with the PMSEA, will once again have its minerals industry symposium during this ANMSEC. The Keynote Speaker for the symposium will be Engr. Eulalio B. Austin, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Philex Mining Corporation (PMC). This year is also PMC's 60th year as a publicly listed company and what better way to celebrate 63 years of responsible mining than by having someone who has brought honor and prestige to a responsible company that is also celebrating its diamond jubilee speak and address the delegates! Engr. Austin is a true Cordilleran Mining Engineer, a product of the Saint Louis University in this city and I beam with pride to have a fellow Mining Engineer and a fellow Louisian to be at the top of one of the biggest mining companies in the Philippines, reaping awards here and abroad and showing the world that miners never die, they just lose their mines (minds?) haha. Indeed, diamonds are in the rough! Despite having a controversial and negative image, the mining industry has gems that shine and serve as proof that responsible mining is not a myth.
Congratulations to the PMSEA on its 63rd year. Congratulations to Philex Mining Corporation on its 60th year. Mabuhay ang responsableng minerong Pilipino!
"Everybody wants to be a diamond, but very few are willing to get cut.” ~ Eric Thomas
“You can’t shine like a diamond until you are ready to be cut like a diamond. No pressure no prize!!! Get Comfortable being Uncomfortable!”