Malacañan Palace
January 20, 2016

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the awarding of the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award in Malacañan Palace.

In his statement, the President said that the government is aware of the threats arising from climate change but it also cannot ignore the value of mining that is beneficial to the country when done responsibly, fairly and under government regulation.

He added that the country is pursuing a cleaner and safer mining landscape, which is the primary reason for the gathering and recognition of the awardees. He also emphasized that the government has reduced the number of illegal logging in the country from 197 to 23, and that the confiscated logs were used to repair school buildings and the construction of school seats.

The President believes that with the sustained and shared efforts of both government and the private sector, the country can reach its full potential in the mining industry.

The Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award was established in 1997 to recognize the initiatives and exemplary achievements of the private mineral sector in protecting the environment. The 2015 winners are: Silangan Mindanao Mining Corporation, Inc. for the mineral exploration category; the Coral Bay Nickel Corporation for mineral processing category; and the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation, OceanaGold Phils., and SR Metals, Inc. for surface mining operation category.

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