Philex Mining vies for ‘Best in Mining Forest’ award

BENGUET, Philippines – A miner visits an area in Padcal that is part of the 2,260 hectares of land in the towns of Tuba and Itogon, Benguet which was reforested with over seven million trees by Philex Mining Corp.

The company’s Padcal mine is among those being considered in this year’s “Best in Mining Forest” award organized by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) – the results of which will be announced in November.

Padcal Mine has won the Best in Mining Forest award nine times, including last year and in 2008, 2007, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1994, and 1991.

“Padcal’s reforestation program creates job opportunities in fire protection activities, seedling propagation, tree-planting, and maintenance, among other things,” Ben Galindez, head of forestry section in Padcal’s environment department said.

He added that the program’s priority is to hire seasonal workers from outlying sitios.