TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) once again upheld its reputation for operational excellence by surpassing regulatory compliance in the recently concluded Tenement Safety and Health, Environment and Social Development (TSHES) Audit for the year 2024, which covered both of its operating mines: the Balabag Gold-Silver Project in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Greenstone Resources Corporation, which manages both the Siana Gold Project and the upcoming Mapawa Gold Project.
This consistent recognition reaffirms the TVIRD Group’s commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices, maintaining what the regulatory body refers to as the “Gold Standard” — a benchmark set for mining operations that exceed the industry’s regulatory requirements.
What is TSHES?
The Tenement Safety and Health, Environment and Social Development Audit (TSHES) is a comprehensive technical inspection that covers four key areas, conducted annually by the DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) through its Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division (MSESDD). The audit is carried out by the respective MGB Regional Offices — Region IX for Balabag and Region XIII for Siana and Mapawa.
The TSHES audit begins with a verification of all legal documents, such as permits, licenses, and Mineral Production Sharing Agreements that are properly secured and up to date. It then examines how well the company is protecting its people through Safety and Health Programs to ensure the overall wellbeing of workers on the job.
The audit also evaluates the company’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program and measures how effectively it mitigates operational impacts and restores mined areas.
Equally important is the company’s role beyond the mine site. The Social Development and Management Program is assessed based on its measurable contributions to host and neighboring communities, including initiatives in education, livelihood, health, infrastructure, and skills development. In essence, TSHES ensures that mining companies are not just compliant but also responsible, people-centred, and sustainable.
The Site Audits
The TSHES cycle for the year 2024 commenced with the Siana Gold Project, which was audited from March 5 to 7, followed by Balabag on March 9 to 11, and Mapawa on July 19 to 22. During these audits, representatives from the respective MGB Regional offices thoroughly reviewed each project site’s documentation, toured operational areas, and engaged with various departments to verify compliance and implementation.
“Going beyond compliance is not just a goal — it is a commitment to responsible mining that puts people, safety, and sustainability at the heart of everything we do,” said Greenstone President Engr. Anthony B. Quijano.
The inspections focused not only on accomplishments within the reporting period but also on the implementation of corrective actions from previous findings, if any, and improvements that exceed baseline standards.
Sustained Excellence
The consistent positive results across TVIRD-operated sites serve as proof of the organization’s proactive approach in embedding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles in all facets of its operations. They also reflect the strong internal collaboration among its concerned departments in ensuring that development goes hand-in-hand with protection and empowerment.
“What we achieved in this year’s TSHES audits shows that ESG isn’t just a framework we follow. It’s part of how we work every day. For us, sustainability means making sure that safety, environmental care, and community development grow together with our operations,” said TVIRD Tenement Management and Environmental Compliance Director Jesalyn Guingguing, EnP.
The TVIRD Group remains committed to continuously improving its systems and practices as part of its contribution to the Philippine government’s sustainable development goals. With the conclusion of the most recent TSHES Audit, the mining group further affirms the strength of its cooperation with regulators to achieve mining operations that are safe, responsible, and conscientious.
TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. is owned in part by TVI Pacific Inc., a publicly-listed Canadian mining company focused on the exploration, development, and production of precious and base metals from district-scale, large-system, high-margin projects located in the Philippines. Concurrent ownership of ventures is shared with partner company Prime Resource Holdings Inc.
The Agata Nickel Laterite Mine is the third successful mining project that TVIRD brought on stream in a period of 10 years, while its Balabag Gold-Silver Mine further cements its position as a steady producer of precious metals in the country. With the commercial operations of its Siana Gold Mine, the company remains committed to exploration and mining practices that promote transparency, responsible stewardship of the environment, and the inalienable rights to life, dignity and sustainable development of its host communities.
