TWO COMPANIES jointly operating a gold mining project in Masbate province in the Bicol Region have been recognized for their efforts in achieving environmentally and socially responsible operations.
Filminera Resources Corp and Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corp., the two firms behind the Masbate Gold Project, received four awards in the recent Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Awards (PMIEA), in the Best Mining Forest and Safest Mine categories.
The 2020 PMIEAs are given to mining companies with the best practices in safety and health management, environmental protection and community development.
Both companies have active programs geared towards the conservation of nature, biological diversity and integrated approaches to land use planning.
As a result of these upland and coastal reforestation efforts, the reforested and rehabilitated areas are now home to a diverse range of flora and fauna species.
Aside from enhancing biodiversity through their environmental programs, the firms have also spurred social development in the surrounding communities through various livelihood programs.
Filminera is the recipient of the PMIEA Selection Committee Platinum Achievement Award in Surface Mining Operation Category, the Titanium Achievement Award, Mineral Exploration Category and the winner of the Safest Mineral Exploration – A Category.
Phil Gold, on the other hand, received the PMIEA Selection Committee Titanium Achievement Award in the Mineral Processing Category.