`Mining 101′ an instant hit
For almost four years, Kristine Borras had been busy with her job as Executive Assistant to the President of TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD). And because she is based at the company’s head office in Makati, the Central Business District of the Philippines, she had only little knowledge on how TVIRD runs its mining operations at Canatuan, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao, south of the archipelago. That’s why when she learned that a Mining 101 session would be held at the Makati Office, she could not contain her excitement. “I was very curious,” Kristine says. “I always wanted to know how our mine operates. I had no idea because I do not work at the site.”
|
Above, Yulo Perez shows a copper ore to an attentive crowd. Below, Aringo and Albani are at the extreme right and second from right, respectively. TVIRD President Eugene Mateo (extreme left) presided over the session. All photos by (Wilner Villanueva)
|
The Mining 101 session, attended by officers and staff members of TVIRD’s Makati Office, was the first in a series of learning sessions to be conducted by the company’s Human Resources and Administration Department (HRAD) for employees.
“The ‘101 Series’ seeks to enable all TVIRD employees to have a better understanding of the business we are in and how we – both as a corporate citizen and as individual employees – can contribute to generating positive results,” Yody Marzo, TVIRD Organization Development Director, explains. “We will also incorporate the series in the Orientation Program HRAD is putting together for all new hires.”
In facilitating the Mining 101 session, Yulo Perez, TVIRD Vice President for Operations, explained the importance, use, and the step-by-step process followed by the company in the production of copper, the mineral that TVIRD mines in Canatuan.
|
Above, Kristine Borras couldn’t contain her excitement when she learned about the Mining 101 session. Yody Marzo stresses a point before the session proper. “The ‘101 Series’ seeks to enable all TVIRD employees to have a better understanding of the business we are in and how we can contribute to generating positive results,” she says.
|
“We got the idea of putting together this session after we met with potential partners,” Perez points out. “Since they weren’t miners and, therefore, do not know how mining operations work, they asked me to walk them through the mining process. We saw this as a good opportunity to educate our own staff, especially the Makati-based employees.”
“I learned a lot in the Mining 101 session,” Cecil Aringo, TVIRD Accounting Manager, shares. “Now I have a better grasp of our business cycle and a greater appreciation of our product.”
Shirmar Albani, Accounting Assistant, agrees: ‘”I think the session made those who attended realize that we need a big cash requirement to produce copper and every expense or cost saving we make has an effect on our bottom line.”
|
Perez shows fellow TVIRD employees a sample of the copper concentrates produced in Canatuan. All those who participated agree that the 101 Series is a worthwhile activity.
|
After the session, the employees accomplished a feedback sheet, handed to them by HRAD to get their thoughts. The feedback were encouraging. Employees felt the activity was worthwhile, and that it would be helpful to hold similar pocket sessions in the future. Among the topics employees are interested in include 101 sessions in Exploration and Drilling, Legal, Finance. HR Policies, IT Operations, Mining Laws and Social Commitments.
If the interest of employees were to be a gauge, the 101 Series appears headed for success, both for the company and its employees who stand to benefit from this additional opportunity for an enriching learning experience.
Borras, Aringo and Albani look forward to the next session, knowing that it will again provide them a better understanding of TVIRD, whose aspirations and theirs intertwine (Joana Tiglao)