Tampakan’s Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), government contractor for the Tampakan Copper Gold Project, was honored for the second year in a row with the prestigious Presidential Mining Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) bestowed by Malacañang. The award was given on the occasion of the 57th Annual National Mine Safety Conference recently held in Baguio City. President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was represented by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje.
The PMIEA is the most sought after award by mining companies in the Philippines; it represents a project endorsement from the national government.
The selection process for the PMIEA is stringent by industry standards, and administered by a presidential task force. Mining companies are screened by examining their programs on social development, education, and safety and health. A field audit by experts in health, social impact assessment, environment and safety visits nominated mining companies to validate submitted data and reports.
In his message relayed by Sec. Paje, the President said his administration would support the investments of responsible mining companies.
SMI general manager Mark Williams said the award is “a testament to the company’s commitment to balancing social, environmental and economic impact in managing the Tampakan project. We are both humbled and honored,” he said during his acceptance message.
Williams also said that the award is “the best driver to ensure responsible minerals development practices in the Philippines, making mining companies truly committed to environmental protection and sustainable development.”
