Wala umanong sasantuhin ang Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) pagdating sa pagpapataw ng parusa sa mga pasaway na mining companies.
Pahayag ito ni MGB director Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano kasunod ng Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) na ginanap sa Baguio City.
Hinamon ng MGB ang private mining companies na tumalima sa responsableng pagmi-mina, alinsunod sa panuntunan ng batas.
“We are challenging mining companies to meet the higher standards we’ve set in terms of protecting the environment and communities in mining areas. We know it’s not easy for them, but the MGB will leave no stone unturned in making sure all mining operations are compliant, safe, well-rehabilitated, and responsible to their environment,” ani Moncano.
“This goes for large-scale mining companies as well as small-scale mining players. You either mine responsibly or you don’t mine; there is no middle ground,” dagdag pa nito.
Pinarangalan naman ng Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award sa nasabing pagtitipon ang anim na kompanya dahil sa kanilang pagiging mabuting ehemplo sa industriya.
Kabilang sa mga ito ang:
-Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. para sa Surface Mining Category
-Cagdianao Mining Corporation para sa Surface Mining Category;
-Holcim Mining and Development Corp. – Davao para sa Quarry Operations Category
-Republic Cement and Building Materials, Inc. – Bulacan para sa Quarry Operations Category
-Mindanao Mineral Processing and Refining Corp. para sa Mineral Processing Category
-Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corp. para sa Mineral Exploration Category
“Definitely it’s good to have these examples to highlight the work that’s already being done in the industry, but so many other operators must catch up.”
