Sagittarius Mines gets 6th award for sustainable dev’t

MANILA, Philippines - Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) announce that it has received its sixth Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) – Exploration Category, for “exhibiting an outstanding level of dedication, initiative and innovation in the pursuit of excellence in environmental management, safety and health management and community development.”

SMI executive vice president Justin Hillier said the company is humbled by the recognition that comes with the prestigious Presidential award and that SMI shares the honor with the Tampakan Project’s local, regional and national stakeholders and key partners. The award was presented to SMI during the 60th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio City, organized by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association.

“This award reminds us of the partnership we have with our stakeholders, and is a testament to the trust and support we have received from them. Importantly, we are committed to further nurturing this trust and support as we progress the Tampakan Project,” Hillier said.

The PMIEA was institutionalized by Executive Order 399 issued in February of 1997 by then President Fidel V. Ramos. It aimed “to promote the efficient management of the environment and ecology” by recognizing mining companies that participate in “government’s efforts to foster efficient environmental management in the mining sector.” Thus, the PMIEA was established to “recognize exemplary efforts of mining groups and companies in the country in achieving environmentally and socially responsible mining operations”.

SMI received its first PMIEA in 2006, and then received four successive PMIEAs in 2009, 2010, 2011, and in 2012. This year’s award represents SMI’s fourth Presidential award under the current Aquino administration.

SMI was also given a 3rd runner-up honor for the 2013 Best Mining Forest program exploration category and runner-up honor for the 2013 Safest Mine exploration category.

“These awards once again affirm SMI and our shareholders’ unwavering commitment to develop the Tampakan Project to industry-leading practices and international standards for sustainability practices,” Hillier added.

The Tampakan Copper-Gold Project is located on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, approximately 40 kilometers north of General Santos City. The Project is situated on the boundaries of four provinces: South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur, and represents one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the Southeast Asia-Western Pacific region.