Silangan Mining wins mining safety awards

MANILA, Philippines - Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Philex Mining Corp., won three mining safety awards during the 62nd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) held in Baguio City recently.

The awards included the 2015 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award, the highest award conferred by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA).

With a rating of 95.49 percent, SMMCI beat its close competitor Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corp./Galeo Equipment Corp. which scored 91.92 percent on mine safety standards.

Silangan Mining won the PMSEA in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2014.

“The awards strengthen Silangan’s credibility as a new player in the industry and as a budding responsible miner,” said company president and CEO Yulo Perez.

“We are thankful that our efforts in establishing high standards in safety, environmental stewardship, and community relations are recognized as best in class,” he added.

Silangan Mining also received the best rating of 96.08 percent for Category A of the Safest Exploration Award and the second best rating of 85.2 percent in the 2015 Best Mining Forest Program.

“We are in the very advanced stages of our permitting process.  Hopefully we get the full support of the government to develop the project because we have the potential to significantly contribute to the nation’s economy,” Perez said.

“These modest achievements embody the company’s commitment to promote occupational safety and health, environmental protection and social development,” he noted.