MGB Region II gears toward ISO

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II recently passed the ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 14001:2015, and OHSAS 18001:2007. The audit was conducted last December 19- 22, 2017.

Didipio Mine Wins Asean Mineral Awards

OceanaGold’s Didipio gold-copper mine has brought honor to the country bagging the Best Practices in Sustainable Resource Development in the Mineral Processing Category in the First ASEAN Mineral Awards (AMA). OceanaGold represented the Philippines in the said category and bested other mining firms from the ASEAN region.

The award was received by Dr. Jose Leviste Jr., Chairman of OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc., accompanied by Didipio Mine General Manager David Way, Metallurgical Superintendent Hilbert Cardenas and Community Relations and Communications Manager Nericel Langres. Dr. Leviste and Ms. Langres presented to the AMA Board of Judges (AMA BOJ), the best practices of the Didipio Mine in occupational health and safety, environmental management, and community development last November 28, 2017. The First ASEAN Mineral Awards was held during the 6th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals(AMMIN) from November 28 -30, 2017 at the M Gallery in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The awarding ceremony was held at the gala dinner of the AMMIN last November 30, 2017 in the same venue.

Leviste said, “We are very excited to bring home this prestigious award to the Philippines and to the Didipio Mine. We deliver EXCELLENCE. We help an entire workforce and community realize their potentials. Our values hinge on taking action to perform better, taking ownership of every decision and making sure that each decision is guided by our standard of excellence and integrity.”

Competing countries against the Philippines in the said category are Lao PDR and Indonesia who were adjudicated in terms of their project’s impact, sustainability, and replicability and originality. Finalists were selected in September this year, with each finalist presenting their entries before the AMA BOJ in conjunction with the 2017 ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Minerals (ASOMM) last November 28.

Didipio Mine’s fully automated process plant is known for utilizing clean technology in extracting gold and copper, among the few processing plants in the world that are cyanide and mercury-free. Up to 90% of the non-hazardous water in its tailings storage facility is recycled in the plant, lessening the need for fresh water and preserving natural resources in its host community.

“Our people and communities have inspired us to become world-class responsible miners, aiming to deliver excellent performance that ensures meaningful and sustainable development,” David Way, General Manager of the Didipio Operation said.

The ASEAN Mineral Awards has been created by the Special Task Force (STF) of the ASOMM to recognize mining companies with outstanding contributions in promoting environmentally and socially sustainable minerals development in the region.

Nickel Asia’s Rio Tuba nickel mine in Palawan also won the ASEAN Mineral Award for Mining.

MGB R02 participates in mining week in Baguio City

Some employees of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II attended the annual national mining conference dubbed as 64th Annual National Mines Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in Baguio City last Nov. 21-24, 2017.

With the theme: “Responsible Mining… In the hearts and minds of Filipinos,” the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA spearheaded the said event

A traditional tree planting activity at the Botanical garden, PMSEA adopted park and PMSEA immersion kicked off the opening of the mining week on November 21.

A press conference attended by the officials of the PMSEA led by Engr. Louie Sarmiento, heads and representatives of mining companies, and officials of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau were likewise present in the press conference.

On November 22, a mining exhibit participated by the mining companies and suppliers of the industry was opened. The exhibit featured the good practices of the industry.

The 3rd PMSEA Students Congress and the 5th Community Relations Officers (COMREL) Conference were likewise conducted simultaneous with the sports fest at the Baguio Country Club.

OGPI bags safety and environment awards in 64th AMSEC

OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. has again proven its excellence in occupational health and safety, sound environmental management, and community development during the 64th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) held in Baguio City last November 21-24. The Company received the following prestigious awards:

· Safest Mining Operation Award;

· Safest Surface Mining Operation Award;

· Safest Mineral Processing Award – Concentrator Category;

· PMIEA Selection Committee Platinum Achievement Award – Surface Mining Operation Category; and

· 1st Runner-up Best Mining Forest – Metallic Mining Operation Category.

Our pursuit for excellence and continuous improvement do not stop here. This is a green light for us to perform even better in what we do best – delivering quality and safe workplace for our employees, protecting the environment for future generations, and materializing our commitments to communities where we operate in. OceanaGold continues to become the forerunner and template of responsible mining in the Philippines and the ASEAN Region.

Through our collaborative efforts, we are able to prove that we are a valued and significant part of our society. The hardworking men and women of the Didipio Mine are truly pillars of hope for our families and communities.