Mining forum tackles safety, best practices

MANILA, Philippines - Safety and best practices in the mining industry will be discussed in this year’s 59th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) which will be held in Baguio City from Nov. 13 to 16. 

The conference will be hosted by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) with the theme Responsible Mining: Our Advocacy…Our Commitment.

 “The conduct of the 2012 ANMSEC is a very timely event as the Philippine minerals industry is presently confronted with various challenges,” said PMSEA president Louie Sarmiento.

He said the week-long conference would give PMSEA the opportunity to present the efforts and achievements of its member-companies to provide genuine progress for stakeholders in the mining industry without compromising environment protection.

 “As the best practices of its members in the fields of occupational safety and health, sound environmental management and social responsibility will be duly recognized, PMSEA firms up its commitment to responsible mining and sustainable development,” Sarmiento said.

He added that through its Pusong Minero initiative, PMSEA remains at the forefront in addressing the crises faced by the sector.

The conference will officially begin on November 13 with a tree planting activity in Barangay Twin Peaks, Tuba, Benguet. This environmental event dubbed as “Commitment to a Greener Earth” is an initiative of PMSEA member-company Monark Equipment to mark their 25th anniversary.

The company aims to plant 25,000 Kalinga Orange trees within the next 25 months beginning in January this year.

Also on Nov. 13, PMSEA will showcase endemic plants and trees in the Baguio Botanical Garden. The project is being done under a memorandum of agreement signed in 2010 with the city government of Baguio in which PMSEA adopted a 1000-square meter area to develop for five years.

“This is our way of giving back the fruits of Mother Nature who has been providing us with bountiful blessings,” Sarmiento said.

On Nov.14, golf, bowling and lawn tennis tournaments will kick off at the Baguio Country Club, Baguio Center Mall and Baguio Tennis Club. 

On November 15, a two-day Mining Exhibit will be held at the Garden Wing of CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center on the sidelines of the Minerals Industry Symposium hosted by the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM) that will be held the whole day in the same venue.