Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), a subsidiary of natural resources development firm Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), once again demonstrated its adherence to ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) compliance by winning the major awards during the 68th Annual National Mine, Safety, and Environment Conference on Nov. 18, 2022.
TMC bagged the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) – considered as the highest industry accolade for social, environment, health, and safety excellence – for the second year in a row.
Further demonstrating its commitment to establishing land use values equal to or better than those existing before mining activities, TMC also won this year’s Best Mining Forest Award under the Metallic Category.
In addition, TMC proved its deeply entrenched culture of safety in its operations after being declared as having the "Most Improved Safety Performance" under the Safest Mines Award.
The subsidiary is engaged in mining and exporting nickel ore in barangays Hayanggabon, Urbiztondo, Taganito and Cagdianao in the municipality of Claver, Surigao del Norte.
"These awards are a testament of the continuing commitment of NAC to uphold the highest standards of Responsible Mining," said NAC Chairman Gerard H. Brimo during the award's acceptance speech, in which three other NAC affiliates also won major awards.
Brimo also recognized the community stakeholders who "keep us on our toes, and who inspire us to constantly strive beyond compliance."
He also lauded the work of "managers, supervisors, and rank-and-file [employees]" who ensured that NAC's operating firms uphold the tenets of Responsible Mining.
These awards come at a crucial time as TMC, together with the other subsidiaries of NAC, is formalizing its ESG processes.
This is in line with the Company’s twin goals of becoming the premier ESG investment in the country and becoming among the top 25 companies listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange in terms of market capitalization by 2025.
“This year's Presidential Award is the fifth for TMC, and the fourth for Best Mining Forest, since PMIEA was launched in 1997. With this milestone, we are humbled and more excited to move further with our thrust on ESG and responsible mining operations,” said Engr. Artemio Valeroso, the Resident Mine Manager of TMC.
Established through Executive Order No. 399, the PMIEA is conferred annually by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to promote the responsible and sustainable use of the country's minerals in all stages of mining operation.
For the current fiscal year, TMC spent Php 90.81 million for health, education, livelihood, public utilities and services, sociocultural preservation, information campaign, and mining technology, and another Php 154.2 million for environmental programs involving land, water, and air quality management; rehabilitation and reforestation; and various ecotourism projects.
Another Php 18.9 million was spent for the relief and recovery operations following the onslaught of Super typhoon Odette.
Some 753,781 seedlings were also planted in 111.87 hectares of mining and non-mining areas within the period.
Moreover, TMC also spent Php 51.38 million for holistic programs aimed at ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of employees from 2021 to the third quarter of 2022.
A total of 7.8 million safe man-hours without lost time accident was also achieved by TMC during the period.
