Balabag and Siana Gold Projects recently honored at the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in Baguio City
Baguio City, Philippines / December 2023 — The TVIRD Balabag Gold-Silver Project and Greenstone Resources Corporation’s Siana Gold Project – both wholly-owned and operated by TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) – were recently honored with respective Platinum Awards under the Surface Mining Category during the 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in Baguio City. Both companies received the prestigious recognition at the yearly industry event organized by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA).
Prior to this year’s sortie, the Balabag project won the Presidential Mineral Industry Environment Award (PMIEA) on its first year operations in 2022. Meantime, Siana bagged its first Platinum Award as a wholly-owned subsidiary of TVIRD.
“The level of teamwork across the ranks in both project sites have been nothing less of exceptional, especially on the community level as they are our first line of defense with regard to safety and the environment. The TVIRD Group shares this honor with the rest of the industry – our colleagues who keep mining strong and keep our mine sites safe and sustainable for future generations,” said TVIRD Managing Director Michael G. Regino.
In addition, Balabag General Manager Deogracias Halog said: “Although Balabag is a young mine, it has shown its commitment by conducting responsible mining operations and received a Presidential Award early on.”
Future-oriented philosophy
Driven by the core philosophy that sister company, Agata Mining Ventures Inc., has instilled in fellow members of the TVIRD Group: “Starting it Right, Keeping the End in Mind,” both companies remain anchored not only in its robust operations but also in the group’s commitment to building resilient communities and a sustainable natural environment long after mining activities are concluded.
Agata is highly regarded within the group owing to its past achievements: three Presidential Awards and an ASEAN Mineral Award, which brought the TVIRD Group its first international recognition.
Balabag and Siana likewise implement a holistic approach to environmental management by employing the highest standards in planning, implementation, maintenance, evaluation – until the final rehabilitation, which goes beyond the scope of tree planting for re-greening purposes. Both aspire to plant forests that will ensure stability in their respective ecosystems for the future.
Uncompromising safety standards
TVIRD’s safety motto, “Safety Begins with Me, Let’s Go for ZERO Accident,” synergizes initiative from oneself and a zero tolerance for physical accidents. It is carried across all project sites beyond all known measures of risk because the company values its personnel above all else.
As of June 2023, Balabag achieved 8.2 million safe man-hours with no lost time due to accidents while Siana generated 3.5 million safe man-hours since recommissioning under TVIRD management.
Both companies also invest heavily on Safety & Health programs, not just for its workforce but for its beneficiary communities. Emergency Response Teams are regularly trained and remain on standby in both project sites, ready to respond in times of crisis. Community ERTs are also trained and equipped in order to build self-sufficiency in host barangays.
Maintaining a healthy environment
As outlined in their respective Environmental Protection and Enhancement Plans (EPEP) and Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECC), both TVIRD Group companies have been advocating and implementing mitigating measures and enhancement activities with high standards to minimize the impacts of mining. This includes their active participation in the country’s National Greening Program.
To date, Balabag planted a total of 716,155 trees across its 569.78-hectare plantation while Siana planted 125,043 trees in its 111.10-hectare rehabilitation area – both achieving a forest density of over 1,000 trees per hectare.
Also, in support of preserving critical species, Siana relinquished 81 hectares of its tenement area to the Diwata Mountain Ranges, which was declared a critical habitat for Philippine tarsiers and other wildlife.
“TVIRD is also considering clean energy sources to augment the power requirements in some of its mines. Plans include the establishment of a 5-MW solar power plant in our Siana gold mine as well as a 4-MW solar power plant in our Balabag gold and silver mine to augment the power supply requirements of both processing plants.” shared Regino.
“And when technology becomes more affordable, TVIRD is also considering the installation of batteries to store the power generated by its solar plants,” shared the executive.
Closeness to Stakeholders
“Sustainable development remains at the heart of the group’s social programs as it is likewise a pressing concern in a changing world wherein value-added livelihood projects have emerged as a promising solution. Education and skills are considered vital in achieving a sustainable community in Siana,” according to General Manager Albert Chan.
Siana provides scholarships, school supplies and allowances for 286 students across all levels – from day care to college – as well as an additional 124 beneficiaries under its TESDA-accredited livelihood programs.
Balabag likewise supports 892 household beneficiaries, of which 75 are under TESDA livelihood programs. These projects not only help generate income and employment opportunities but also contribute to the overall well-being of communities, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In retrospect, the pandemic offers a different perspective and a broader view for business to continue. Surviving the two-year pandemic provides a realization that policies need to be inclusive and long-term in order for an enterprise to operate indefinitely,” explained Regino.
“After the pandemic, TVIRD – more than ever – feels more responsible for its stakeholders: communities, employees, investors and the government. These are lessons learned by TVIRD that go beyond mere healthy ledgers and staying in the black.”
“There is also a need to keep mining strong for the country’s sustainable economic recovery and eventual growth. This is the extent to which TVIRD’s perspective has changed,” he concluded.
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