A holistic approach that transcends conformity
Commitment from the top: Greenstone President Engr. Anthony B. Quijano and TVIRD Exploration Director Leo A. Sosa conduct a thorough inspection of the company’s upcoming Mapawa Gold Project site in Surigao City prior to its first-ever TSHES Audit under the TVIRD Group’s management.
Makati City, Philippines / July 2025 – TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) once again upheld its reputation for operational excellence by surpassing regulatory compliance in the recently concluded Tenement Safety and Health, Environment and Social Development (TSHES) Audit for the year 2024, which covered both its operating mines: the Balabag Gold-Silver Project in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenstone Resources Corporation, which manages both the Siana Gold Project and the upcoming Mapawa Gold Project.
This consistent recognition reaffirms the TVIRD Group’s commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices, maintaining what the regulatory body refers to as the “Gold Standard” — a benchmark set for mining operations that exceed industry standards.
What is TSHES?
The Tenement Safety and Health, Environment and Social Development Audit (TSHES) is a comprehensive technical inspection that covers these four key areas conducted annually by the DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) through its Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division (MSESDD). The audit is carried out by the respective MGB Regional Offices — Region IX for Balabag and Region XIII for Siana and Mapawa.
The TSHES audit begins with a verification of all legal documents, such as permits, licenses, and Mineral Production Sharing Agreements, that are properly secured and up to date. It then examines how well the company is protecting its people through Safety and Health Programs to ensure the overall wellbeing of workers on the job.
The audit also evaluates the company’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program and measures how effectively it mitigates the environmental impact of its operations and restores areas that have already been mined.
Equally important is the company’s role beyond the mine site. The Social Development and Management Program is assessed based on its measurable contributions to host and neighboring communities, including initiatives in education, livelihood, health, infrastructure and in building their skills and capacity. In essence, TSHES is about making sure that mining companies aren’t just compliant, but are also responsible, people-centered and sustainable.
The Site Audits
The TSHES cycle for the year 2024 commenced with the Siana Gold Project, which was audited from March 5 to 7, followed by Balabag from March 9 to 11, and Mapawa from July 19 to 22. During these audits, representatives from respective MGB Regional offices thoroughly reviewed each project sites’ documentation, toured operational areas and engaged with various departments to verify compliance and implementation.
“Going beyond compliance is not just a goal—it is a commitment to responsible mining that puts people, safety, and sustainability at the heart of everything we do,” said Greenstone President Engr. Anthony B. Quijano.
These inspections focused not only on accomplishments within the reporting period but also on the implementation of corrective actions from previous findings, if any, and improvements that exceed baseline standards.
Sustained Excellence
The consistent positive results across TVIRD-operated sites serve as proof of the organization’s proactive approach in embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in all facets of its operations. It also reflects the strong internal collaboration among Safety, Environment, and Community Relations teams in ensuring that development goes hand-in-hand with protection and empowerment.
“What we achieved in this year’s TSHES audits shows that ESG isn’t just a framework we follow. It’s part of how we work every day. For us, sustainability means making sure that safety, environmental care, and community development grow together with our operations,” said TVIRD Tenement Management and Environmental Compliance Director Jesalyn Guingguing, EnP
The TVIRD Group remains committed to continuously improving its systems and practices as part of its contribution to the Philippine government’s sustainable development goals. With the conclusion of the most recent TSHES Audit, the mining group further affirms the strength of its cooperation with regulators to achieve mining operations that is safe, responsible and conscientious.
