TVIRD honored in mining conference

Efforts in project development, environmental protection, social development, and communications applauded

The compliments for TVIRD came in three forms. First, the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM) and the Board of Mining Engineering of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) conferred The Outstanding Mining Engineer Award in the Field of Project Development to Yulo Perez, TVIRD Vice President for Philippine Operations.

Second, members of conference sponsor Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) heaped praises on Rachel James, TVIRD Environment Consultant, and on the paper she presented on the results of a research program conducted with employees of the company’s Environment Department on “The Practical Application of Constructed Wetlands in the Philippines (see related Philippine Daily Inquirer story here: ).

And third, in her keynote speech at the conference awards night, Philippine Ambassador to Germany and Presidential Envoy for Mining Her Excellency Delia Albert commended TVIRD for its efforts in informing its critical stakeholders – through its website – about developments in the company’s social responsibility projects for its host Subanon indigenous community. TVIRD operates a copper-zinc mine in Canatuan, a mountain village in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, Southern Philippines.

“I have come to realize the importance for the business sector to be more visible and vigilant in addressing the wider community concerns and reservations – whether real or perceived,” Ambassador Albert stressed. “I am pleased to receive a regular report on TVIRD’s operations in Zamboanga del Norte…in order to inform the public of the company’s social responsibility initiatives with the Subanon tribe, its successful scholars, and its program for women, among others.”

Perez, for his part, said he was “truly honored” by the award he received from Samuel Paragas and Cornelio Casido, President of PSEM and Chairman of PRC’s Mining Engineering Board, respectively. “It (the award) was totally unexpected. The other awardees are really big names in the country’s mining engineering field. To receive this coveted award alongside those men is indeed heartwarming. I would not have been able to achieve this without the opportunity given by TVIRD to me and to my fellow employees in Canatuan who worked together to build the Sulphide (Copper-Zinc) Plant and support facilities last year.”

The Sulphide Project Team led by Perez prides itself on the accomplishment of completing the copper plant construction on time and below budget from June to November 2008.

Meanwhile, the technical paper and slides presented by James at the conference reviewed the technical findings and preliminary research to establish the viability of a constructed acid mine drainage (AMD) wetland at the TVIRD Canatuan Sulphide mine. The use of constructed wetlands to reduce acidity and remove heavy metals from AMD water has been successfully applied in industry, particularly in North America, Australia and Europe, for many years. James, a PhD candidate of the University of Toronto Department of Geology, wrote the paper together with Nilda Callora, Rowena Inion and Gemma Tolentino, manager, supervisor, and forester, respectively of TVIRD.

Jay Nelson, TVIRD Vice President for Environment and Civil Works, said the results of the paper “show great potential in supplementing our ongoing efforts to manage the occurrence of AMD in Canatuan (see related story here: ). As we strive to employ best management environmental practices, AMD mitigation has become one of the key elements of the program. Passive mitigation programs using indigenous materials to enhance and supplement natural processes is the most sustainable and cost effective method of doing this. This research and paper verifies the viability of the program and supports continued research and implementation of the project. We will pursue this project with optimism.”

Ambassador Albert encouraged conference participants to follow TVIRD’s lead in stakeholder communication: “I believe that mining companies should all have a website that tells the people what they are doing,” she pointed out. “I know that some of you believe that the more information you share the more prone you will be to attacks by anti-mining groups. However, if there is a vacuum of information, people will create their own version of the truth. Your achievements in the fields of safety, health, environmental protection and social development should be made public so that more people can appreciate the efforts of mining companies to ascribe to responsible mining.”

Eugene Mateo, TVIRD President, summed up the sentiments of company employees on the compliments they received from conference proponents and participants: “The praises we have been receiving serve to further inspire us in our drive towards operational excellence. These make us fully aware that while profit remains a motivator in our business, we have an obligation to ensure that our business should also serve as an engine of growth for people who have a stake in our operations, as well as a protector of our planet, the source of all our blessings now and in the future.” (Rocky Dimaculangan)