AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESPONSIBLE MINING
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Creating sustainable growth through responsible mining By Peter Paul Duran
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ICKEL is the fifth most abundant element on Earth. In the Philippines, the hard and silvery-white metal known for its ductility and resistance to heat and corrosion is not hard to miss. In fact, the country is second only to Indonesia as the world’s biggest supplier of the valuable element. Extremely useful in making various materials, Nickel is the metal that makes up almost everything that humans use, from everyday coins to high-caliber medical equipment. “It is something we use every day. We see it every day,” said Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) President Atty. Dante R. Bravo in an interview with Manila Standard at their Makati office recently. The amiable company executive says that every day, we use and encounter an end product made entirely out of or in part by nickel. From food consumption to essential hospital supply, nickel is important to humans. “Actually nickel has thousands of applications to make our lives
“Our mission is to deliver value by carrying out our activities in an environmentally, socially and financially responsible manner for the benefit of the nation, the communities where we operate, our employees, customers and other stakeholders.” – Atty. Dante R. Bravo comfortable, make our lives safer, and make our lives more convenient and modernized,” Atty. Bravo further said. From coinage to aerospace, DRB, as he is fondly called by his FNI
family, says nickel is “so important” to humans that its “practically hard to live without nickel.” Given that the natural resource is abundant and in many aspects a key driver for growth in a myriad of industries, is there a way for people to take advantage of its benefits without harming the environment? FNI is conscious of it’s role in environment protection. That’s why
FNI, together with its operating arm Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC), is at the forefront of sustainable mining practices, a duty the company is committed to spearhead as a leading nickel ore producer. And their efforts have not been put to waste. PGMC has been given the 2019 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA)
Platinum Group Metals Corporation is the recipient of the 2019 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) Platinum Achievement Award, Surface Mining Operation Category. The award is bestowed to deserving companies for their outstanding levels of dedication, initaitives and innovations in the pursuit of excellence in environmental protection, safety and health management and social/community development. In the photo during the awarding ceremonies are MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano, PMIEA President Joey Ayson, PGMC Mine Operations Manager Richard C. Gimenez and PGMC President Atty. Dante R. Bravo.
Platinum Achievement Award in the Surface Mining Operation Category, a feat the company says is an affirmation of their sincere drive for responsible mining. “It’s a confirmation of our being a responsible and responsive mining company,” said Atty. Bravo. This is not the first time they won an award for pioneering ethical standards in the mining industry. For years FNI has been adhering to the best global practices in all facets of their operations especially on environmental and socio-economic requirements. “We are ISO certified, we use modern practices, the best equipment, the best software to help us optimize the use of our resources,” said Atty. Bravo.
Talking about how their recent achievement will impact their future operations, he says this will inspire the company to become more efficient and to show the regulators, the public, and their people that they are “doing things right.” “We want to show that there’s integrity in what we do and that we also want to be a shining example for other mining companies. Because in the end, really, mining companies are also leaders in environment protection,” adds Atty. Bravo. FNI looks forward to not only being compliant with the standards but becoming the standard in sustainable growth.
PGMC upholds the principles of a positive safety culture HEALTH and safety are integral parts of PGMC’s personnel policies. The Company comprehensive safety program is designed to minimize health risks arising out of work activities and to assure compliance with occupational health and safety standards and rules and regulations that apply to our operations. Managers and supervisors regularly conduct safety briefings and new employees undergo safety orientation. First aid and emergency equipment are installed strategically in all work areas and PGMC’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) stands ready 24/7. In fact, PGMC’s ERT can always be c ounted upon to assist in emergencies outside the confines of the mine site. During the recent earthquake in North Cotabato, PGMC’s ERT was one of the first responders and assisted in rescue operations and the packing and distribution of relief goods and drinking water. As testament to their professionalism, the team won 1st Runner-up honors in the Fire Brigade Competition during the Safety Field Competition in connection with the 66TH Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio City.
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Coral Transplantation in Lambason Marine Sanctuary "We believe in the principle of stewardship by protecting and caring for the environment for a sustainable future."
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ORAL reefs are widely recognized to be important ecologically and biologically. They are the most diverse of all marine ecosystems and about 25 percent of all known marine species depend on them for food, shelter and breeding.
PGMC is an active participant of the National Greening Program NATIONAL Greening Program of the Philippine government was launched in 2011 by virtue of under Presidential Executive Order No. 26. This seeks to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares throughout the country. It has a four-pronged agenda: food production, poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation. As of 2018, the company has already covered 588.92 hectares. During this year’s Earth Day celebration, PGMC together with over 200 volunteers from the local community planted over 1,000 indigenous trees in a water reservation area in Barangay Cagdianao.
But coral reefs around the world are threatened by natural and man-made disturbances. The same is true with the coral reefs in Lambason island in Surigao del Norte which have been under stress because of destructive fishing methods. To remedy the situation, the local government of Cagdi-
anao, Surigao del Norte, through the support of PGMC, declared portions of the island’s reef area as a marine sanctuary for protection and enhancement. As part of the rehabilitation efforts, PGMC’s technical team with the help of local fisherfolks, conducted coral transplantation through asexual
method wherein fragments were taken from an already-detached colony called coral of opportunity. Apart from facilitating the speedy recovery of the stressed corals, the activity also raised awareness among the local community about the vital role of coral reefs.
AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESPONSIBLE MINING
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Proactive supporter of the government’s Temporary Revegetation Program
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GMC is one of the first to implement temporary revegetation, based on the government’s call to promote a sustainable environment in mining operations, through the establishment of grass and shrub plantation in all inactive mining areas. The company set its sights to temporarily revegetate 47 hectares located in CAGA 2 and CAGA 4 using grasses, vines, shrubs, and other leguminous plants within 2018 on top of it's Annual Mined-Out Rehabilitation commitment of 60.0 hectares. This will result to erosion prevention, aesthetics improvement and reduction of carbon footprint.
Congratulations to
Platinum Group Metals Corporation! 2019 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMEA) Platinum Achievement Awardee Surface Mining Operation Category
Greetings from: 5.11 million
31.55 million
Occupational Safety and Health Program spending for 2018
Social Development and Management Project budget for 2018
Mines helping minds PGMC believes that quality education is the best tool to fight poverty. That is why we maintain a program that awards scholarships and other forms of aid to deserving students, including those who are members of the indigenous groups. These scholarships and other forms of aid include payment of tuition, stipend allowances and provision of school supplies and uniforms. Education projects also involve the
improvement of school facilities, provision of educational materials teachers’ training programs, and payment of teachers’ honoraria. At our Cagdianao Mine, we have constructed a seven school building, a library, and one (1) atrium for the community. The school provides free education and school materials to about 521 students from barangays cagdianao and hayanggabon. communities.
In addition, we provide assistance under the Alternative Learning System project, an accredited program under the Department of Education. The company also provides salaries for six teachers who work with public schools in the communities where our Cagdianao Mine is located. Along with these programs, we have also initiated schoolto-school campaign promoting knowledge in mining and sponsorship for inter-school educational competitions.
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PGMC fetes scholars PGMC recently hosted a party to celebrate the graduation of 29 beneficiaries of its scholarship program. The activity aims to recognize the perseverance and sacrifice of student grantees in attaining their educational dreams. “PGMC shouldered my daughter’s tuition and provided a minimum of P6,000 monthly allowance and an additional P10,000 assistance for her to complete her thesis. An additional P5,000 in incentives during graduation were also provided for all scholars. Even after graduation, PGMC’s generosity still extended to my daughter by providing P28,000 financial assistance for
her review in San Jose Recoletos in Cebu City,” said Mrs. Elizabeth E. Sarmiento, mother of full scholar grantee Michelle Anne Sarmiento, BS Accountancy graduate of Saint Paul University in Surigao City. “Thank you PGMC for helping us financially in our studies. I could never imagine that this program would become a way to start a new beginning in my life. To all scholars who are in the middle of their college life, I know that one day you will be one of us. Just always pray and have faith in God," said Cristine Joyce Sumido addressing her fellow scholars.
We implement programs and projects that improve the quality of life through capability development such as better education and generating livelihood.
SCHOLARS RECOGNIZED. Giveaways, shirts and medals were provided to the grantees during the recognition followed by a dinner.
Successful Egg Production Project expands to non-mining barangays
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PROJECT worth 1 million pesos was turned over to Sabang Tayaga Poultry Livelihood Association (SATAPOLA) by PGMC, making it the first-ever bigticket livelihood project implemented outside its host communities. After the success of a similar Egg Production Project with Punta Naga Sustainable Livelihood Association (PUNASULA) in Barangay Cagdianao, PGMC was encouraged to replicate the project to other nonmining barangays in Claver.
“In spite of being a non-mining barangay, we are able to receive this livelihood project. We assure PGMC that we will work hard for the success of this project,” said Ancelmo Olvez, SATAPOLA President. Members of SATAPOLA were empowered by PGMC through a series of trainings such as Philippines BizCamp and a 1-month actual farm management training in Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur accredited by TESDA. “PGMC doesn’t only work for their business to prosper but also for the welfare of the whole of Claver because as we can see they're expanding the coverage of their SDMP to the non-mining barangays.” Hon. Arnel P. Laurena, Punong Barangay of Tayaga said.
PGMC ushers Claver as CARAGA Handicraft Capital HANDICRAFT plays a vital role in providing an alternative source of income among households in the countryside. Products produced from Cebu and Bohol are known worldwide because of their outstanding quality, unique designs and competitive costs. But unbeknownst to many, Mindanao, particularly Caraga, is abundant with raw materials for the handicraft industry. To develop this potential, PGMC partnered with Cebu-based Giant Q Exports, one of the country’s top manufacturers and exporters of Philippine handicraft made from indigenous materials, to make Claver
Surigao del Norte the center of handicraft production in CARAGA. Through its 2019 Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), PGMC allocated 1 million pesos into developing a handicraft livelihood program. The program was started by providing hands-on training to residents barangays Cagdianao and Hayanggabon. Sixty-two beneficiaries, between the ages 29 to 65 years old, underwent training through the guidance of industry experts. At present, many of their products are alreadybeing sold for export.
Turnover of school bus, Grow Negosyo Center and production facility to support chipmaking and woodcraft livelihood projects PGMC Chairman Joseph C. Sy and President Atty. Dante R. Bravo led the turnover of the Grow Negosyo Center which will serve as a one-stop shop for barangay Hayanggabon’s printing needs. On a separate occasion, Atty. Bravo presided over the turnover of the production facility and display center for the Chipmakers Association of Cagdianao (CMAC) and the Cagdianao Woodcraft Association (CWA) and a brand new mini school bus worth PHP 3.4 million pesos. The new bus will be a blessing to many schoolchildren who have to walk several kilometers each day to attend classes.
“Today marks another breakthrough for the people of barangay Cagdianao as these will help
improve the well-being of the local community. PGMC is well- positioned as a key contributor to this
success. More than the physical infrastructures, the unseen message is that the people of Cagdianao will
continue to reap the benefits of mining beyond the life of the mine,” said Vice Mayor Narlito G. Jamesula.