‘BEST Practices’ in any industry becomes standards when acknowledge by award giving institutions. How much more if the accolade comes from international award giving bodies?
Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) undeniably sets the standards in the Philippine mining industry as the ASEAN Minerals Awards (AMA) recognizes Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) for the Best Practices in Mineral Mining category in recognition of the Best Practices in Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Mineral Development.
The 2nd AMA held in Bangkok, Thailand, December 11-13, 2019, is actually the second time that RTNMC bags the award; the first was received in Myanmar in the year 2017 when RTNMC bested Siam Cement of Thailand in the joint metallic and non-metallic category.
From the submissions by Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, the Board of Judges chose the top three finalists with RTNMC, an affiliate of Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), emerging at the top of the list.
The other two categories are Best Practices in Mineral Processing (including Smelting), and Best Practices in Minerals Distribution (including Transportation, Handling, Storage).
Another fete for the Philippine mining industry is that Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC), bags the 2nd ASEAN’s Best in Metallic Mineral Processing category. CBNC, another NAC subsidiary thru RTNMC is the Philippines’ first hydrometallurgical nickel processing plant where RTNMC exclusively supplies limonite ore.
Prior to the awarding ceremony, the finalists in the three categories were given chance to make their final presentations to the Board of Judges in NawPyiDaw, Myanmar (formerly Burma) last November 28 with each presentation lasting a maximum of 15 minutes.
The winners for all three categories were announced during the gala dinner of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals in the Myanmar capital city.
Gerard Brimo, NAC and RTNMC President and CEO, was elated by the selection of the company as the Philippine’s entry to ASEAN Minerals Awards in the Category of “Best Practices in Mineral Mining”.
“Having been picked as one of the top three finalists is already a distinct honor for Rio Tuba Nickel Mining, as well as for Nickel Asia Corporation,” said Brimo.
The selection of RTNMC, Brimo added “is a recognition of the four decades of Responsible mining that has been practiced at Rio Tuba.” RTNMC is operating in Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan.
“Thanks to the vision of the company’s pioneers and the dedication and professionalism of all who have worked and who continue to work there,” he said.
This month, the winners in the ASEAN Minerals Awards will be announced and awarded during the gala dinner of ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals in Myanmar.
The ASEAN Mineral Awards more particularly aims to promote environmentally and socially sustainable mineral development; improve the general perception/image of the mineral industry; disseminate best practices in the mineral sector (mining, transportation, processing, etc.);
It also aims to increase public awareness on Best Practices hi Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Mineral Development; improve and enhance the Best Practices in mineral industries; strengthen regional cooperation and encourage sharing of expertise; and, encourage private sector participation for community development.|-BALIKAS News Network
