BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAGUIO CITY—FCF Minerals Corporation has won its third consecutive Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) during the 70th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) held at the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center here from November 19 to 22, 2024.
The award, according to Lorne Harvey, FCF Minerals general manager for operations, is an “unprecedented achievement of the company for all its efforts in responsible mining.”
“FCF Minerals not only maintained its PMIEA excellence but also captured two additional safety distinctions, marking a remarkable industry milestone,” Harvey added.
The company also received the Safest Surface Mining Operation Award as the winner and the Safest Mining Operation Award, also as winner.
He said the triple PMIEA achievement underscores FCF Minerals’ unwavering commitment to responsible mining practices and industry leadership in sustainable operations.
Engineer Diosdado Dimalanta, Infrastructure and Security Manager, and lawyer Rowena Marcos, Legal and Compliance Manager, who represented Harvey at the November 22 awards ceremony, accepted the PMIEA award.
The Safety Awards were received by the company’s safety team Engineer Maria-Rica-Xtra Arguel, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) manager; Engineer Alex Lagbas, OSH superintendent; and Engineer Tiana May Bonoy, Safety Engineer.
Awarded annually, the PMIEA recognizes mining companies that demonstrate exceptional performance in environmental protection and management, workplace safety and health practices and social development and community engagement.
Dimalanta noted that the awards received by the company are a “solid testament to compliance beyond international standards truly becoming a beacon in the mining industry.”
Meanwhile, the FCF Emergency Response Team (ERT) also clinched second place in the First Aid Competition at the Melvin Jones Grandstand on November 22.
Harvey said their dedicated ERT also demonstrated their exceptional skills across multiple challenges including Fire Brigade Competition, Fire Extinguishment Event and Tug of Peace Challenge.
“This remarkable achievement highlights our team’s dedication to emergency preparedness and commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards at FCF Minerals Corporation,” he said.
Joining the FCF Minerals delegation during the Minerals Industry Parade, led by Dimalanta representing Harvey on November 22 from SM Baguio to the Melvin Jones Grandstand, were the barangay officials of Runruno in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya, headed by barangay captain John Babli-ing. Runruno is the company’s host community.
The company also participated in the two-day booth exhibit during the 70th ANMSEC from November 20 to 21 which was visited by different mining companies, contractors, students and other interested individuals who wanted to know more about responsible mining.
Harvey said this enables the company to share and discuss its operations and best practices, particularly in its Safety and Health, Environment and Social programs.
There were 1,300 individuals recorded visitors who dropped by the booth participating in the dart board game that enabled them to win prizes after following the company’s official Facebook page and inviting their Facebook friends to follow the page.
The 70th ANMSEC was spearheaded by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), the country’s leading advocate for occupational safety, health, environmental management, and social responsibility in the minerals industry, in coordination with various key stakeholders.
These stakeholders include the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers, as well as mining companies, quarries, mineral processing plants, suppliers, service contractors and various professional organizations.
This year’s event marked a significant milestone in the history of ANMSEC, highlighting seven decades of dedication to improving safety standards and environmental practices in the mining industry.
Anchored on the theme “Endurance and Innovation for Sustainability,” the MGB Region 2 Director Mario Ancheta said the conference “reflects the unique challenges faced by the mining industry in the country and the need to navigate these challenges by embracing innovative and sustainable practices and solutions towards achieving responsible and sustainable mineral resources development.”