Agusan LGU backs drive vs erring mining firms

posted July 17, 2016 at 11:15 pm by  The Standard Business

http://thestandard.com.ph/business/210938/agusan-lgu-backs-drive-vs-erring-mining-firms.html

Agusan del Norte Governor Angel Amante-Matba reiterated her call for mining companies to shape up as she vowed to support the Duterte administration’s efforts to purge the “undesirable” mining operators in her province.

Amante-Matba asserted that mining operations in her province were operated and managed by responsible miners and urged the government to assist her in setting up a more stringent regulatory mechanism to further pursue best practices among mining companies operating in Agusan del Norte.

She cited San Roque Metals Inc., which operates in Tubay, Agusan del Norte as one of those. Amante-Matba said SR Metals this year renewed its ISO certification year, which will expire in 2018.

“SRMI was a holder of ISO 14001 certification for our mining processes and our environmental management since 2008. They have complied and continue to comply with all government requirements and standards both for mining process and environmental management,” she said. 

Amante-Matba said SR Metals was among only four mining companies that hold an ISO 14001 certification many years before the Department of Environment and Natural Resources required firms to secure an ISO certification. 

“It is a fact that SRMI is the first nickel mine and the third metal mine in the country to have secured ISO 14001 certification,” she said.

In addition to ISO 14001 certification, SRMI was also the Platinum Awardee for Surface Mining Operation during the 61st Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in 2014, and the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Awardee for Surface Mining Operation in the 62nd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference in 2015.

PMIEA is given only to those that meet the award criteria set by a selection committee composed of representatives from the mine safety association, mineral exploration association, the Chamber of Mines, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Health and the Department of Science and Technology.

The award gives a weight of 50 percent for rehabilitation and environmental protection, 20 percent for safety and health, 20 percent for social and community development, and 10 percent for information, education and communications.