LARGE MINING COMPANIES URGED TO SHARE SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH EXPERTISE TO SMALL-SCALE MINERS HEA

November 18, 2023 Headlines

69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference

BAGUIO CITY

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Danilo Uykieng , said mining to be sustainable should aways be safe and environmentally friendly, because if you protect the environment it includes the protection of the host community. MGB Director Uykieng said training small-scale miners in the areas of safety, health, and environmental protection forms part of the Social
Development Management Program (SDMP) of large mining companies.

MGB Director Uykieng said large mining companies have the expertise on safety. He cited Itogon Suyoc Resources, Inc.’s (ISRI) Big Brother’,‘Small Brother concept – its safety training programs for small-scale miners in their host community should be replicated by other mining companies.
‘’Starting next year we will implement safety ,health and environmental protection program for small-scale miners,’ Uykieng stressed.

‘’MGB’s standing policy, mining operations shall be conducted safely for the protection of the community and the environment, to avoid accidents, and to be compliant always on safety policies and safety standards.’ ‘’The annual mine safety conference we give recognition to the safest mines–surface, and underground as well as nonmetallic such quarrying.’ In a press forum, Louie Sarmiento, president of Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), vowed to include small-scale miners in their programs much so during its annual mine safety and environment activities. MGB-Cordillera Regional Director Fay Apil reported that large mining companies are compliant.

Primo Agatep/ABN