Gensanportal - Mindanao News Blog

Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) has been awarded the Presidential Mining Industry Environmental

Award (PMIEA) by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) at the 56th

Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference held in Baguio City on 14 November.

SMI General Manager Mark Williams said that the PMIEA recognizes excellence in the mining

sector relating to the environment, safety and health management, as well as community

development.

“We are honored to receive this award. This confirms our continuing commitment to employ the

best available technologies and practices in safety, environment, community development, and

stakeholder engagement,” said SMI General Manager Mark Williams.

SMI had an overall rating of 98%. SMI received a perfect score for its Social Development and

Management Program (SDMP), as did the Information, Education, Communication (IEC) program.

Environmental Management also scored highly with 39% out of 40%, while the Safety and

Health program received 19% out of the allocated 20% weighting.

This is the third time for the company to be a PMIEA recipient. In 2004 and 2006, the PMIEA

selection committee also recognized SMI’s performance in the conduct of its mineral exploration

activities.

“While we ensure compliance with the legislative requirements, we also hold fast to the stringent

expectation of our major shareholder, Xstrata, and the communities in which we operate, in all

aspects of our operation,” said Mr. Williams.

SPECIAL FORESTRY AWARD

SMI also received second runner up in the Best Mining Forest Program as recognition of its forest

development initiatives involving volunteers from the host communities. Special forestry awards

were also given to SMI in 2006 and 2008.

Since the company launched the Maleh Tu Kayu (Blaan for ‘let us plant trees’) reforestation

program in 2005, SMI together with its partners and volunteers from the community have

planted and distributed over 300,000 tree seedlings.

“SMI is committed to advancing the Tampakan project in line with leading environmental and

industry best practices and in partnership with our stakeholders.”

“I would like to thank the host communities and our stakeholders for supporting our various

programs and initiatives and making it possible for us to win these two awards,” said Mr.

Williams.

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