The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) held its 64th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) at CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Baguio City on November 21-24, 2017 with this year’s theme: “Responsible Mining… in the hearts and minds of Filipinos”.
Representatives from the various sectors in the mining industry such as partners, members, mining contractor and permit holders, mining students, mining practitioners and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) employees attended the said event. Shown below is the schedule of the week-long activity for this year’s event.
One of the highlights of the conference was the 5th National Community Relations Officers Conference where delegates from different mining companies, MGB employees, Community Relations Officers actively participated in and showed their support. Among the topics with their discussions/presenters during the Conference were as follows:
| Topic | Presenter |
| “SDMP Links to the UN SDGS: A Cost-Benefit Analysis and Proposed SDMP Awards Criteria” |
Dr. Antonina Corinthia N. Naz |
| “Models of Sustainability in Community Development” |
Dr. Rolando V. Cuaño |
| “MGB Presentation on Standards in Implementing the SDMP Guidelines- Policy Review” |
Engr. Rodolfop L. Velasco, Jr. |
For its part, MGB placed strong emphasis on the need to follow and comply with the standards in implementing the SDMP guidelines as a proactive measure to ascertain that mining communities are afforded safe mine environment, and social economic benefits of the mining industry.
Stakeholders from the mining communities were also given opportunity to present the benefits they get from mining. Among the chosen presenters were from Berong Aramaywan Tagbanua Association, Inc., Fr. Rey Biliran, Community from Apex Mines, and IP Community from Agata Mining Ventures, Inc.
On its last day, Minerals Industry Parade proceeded where delegates marched from SM City Baguio to Melvin Jones to demonstrate support to the industry. Later, a Mine Safety Field Demonstration and Field Competition took place where contests on First Aid Competition, Fire Fighting, Machine Drilling, Hand Mucking and Tug-of-Peace were conducted.
During the Testimonial Dinner and Awards Night Filminera Resources Corporation and Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corporation of the Masbate Gold Project bagged the following awards:
| Category | Contractor/Permittee/Permit Holder | Award |
| Mineral Exploration | Filminera Resources Corporation | TITANIUM |
| Surface Mining Operation | Filminera Resources Corporation | PLATINUM |
| Mineral Processing | Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corporation | TITANIUM |
| Safest Exploration Award | Filminera Resources Corporation | WINNER |
| Safest Mineral Processing-Concentrator | Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corporation | First Runner-up |
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2017 Safest Mines Award under Mineral Exploration Category: Filminera Resources Corporation, Winner |
2017 Safest Mines Award under Mineral Processing Category: Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corporation, Runner-Up |
This year’s activity intends to continuously maintain good harmonious work relationship and camaraderie between and among all mining stakeholders in the country to ensure that the mining sector, mining communities and all stakeholders religiously comply with the mining and local laws that espouse responsible mining in our country. Furthermore, the event brings to the fore the need to underscore the indelible significance of mining industry in the nation’s economy and in the lives of all Filipinos.