BAGUIO CITY – Hundreds of mining industry stakeholders will gather in the city for the conduct of the 70th Annual Mine Safety and Environment Conference spearheaded by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) on November 19-22, 2024.
One of the major highlights of the week-long event is the partnership between the PMSEA and Business Sweden to aggressively promote sustainable mining practices that will be sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
PMSEA President Luis R. Sarmiento, ASEAN Engineer, said that the transformative collaboration is set to be a major step forward for the country’s mining industry.
PMSEA is a forerunner in practicing and promoting responsible mining in the country considering that it also plays host to numerous mining operations over the past several decades.
Sarmiento reiterated the group’s commitment to significantly improving mine safety and environmental standards.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration to achieve responsible mining that is beneficial not only to the industry, the community but also the people living in mining areas around the country.
“PMSEA has worked with various foreign missions in the country to bolster our mining industry’s capabilities. Every year, we also welcome the diplomatic corps to the Annual Mine Safety and Environment Conference in Baguio,” Sarmiento stressed.
AMSEC is PMSEA’s banner event held every November in Baguio that coincides with the celebration of the Mine Safety Week where this year will be the AMSEC’s platinum year.
“We are proud that Sweden is our partner country for the 70th AMSEC,” he added.
Swedish Charge d’affairs Herald Fries claimed that the signing of the MOU is the beginning of leading the way in mining sustainability and it is essential to the shared future of both the Philippines and Sweden.
State Minister for International Development Cooperation and foreign trade Hakan Geyrell also highlighted Sweden’s efforts and dedication to climate change and economic growth.
For his part, Vice President and Head for Region South and Southeast Asia of business Asia Emil Akander shared the overview of the joint project and provided Sweden’s pursuit of supporting the Philippines in advancing and accelerating its mining industry into greener, safer and more productive mining operations.
The partnership and project showcases PMSEA’s consistency in advocating sustainability and continuously striving for the betterment of the mining sector and that it will serve as a promise to work jointly with Business Weden to improve environmental protection and safety standards geared towards sustainable mining.
The week-long event will fire off with a Holy Mass at the CAP John hay Trade and Cultural Center main hall which will be followed by the opening ceremony and the ribbon cutting of the mining exhibit, Mobile Legends tournament, mine forum, golf sports and the traditional press conference at the Baguio Country Club on November 19, 2024.
On November 20, 2024, the usual Norfolk tree rejuvenation along Session Road will be conducted which will be followed by the mining exhibit, the community relations conference, Youth Congress and mining night with fireworks display.
Mining industry stakeholders will be joining the Minerals Industry Sympodium which is one of the major highlights of the event on November 21, 2024.
The traditional Minerals Industry Parade, mine safety field demonstration and field competition and the field competition awarding ceremony will be held on November 222, 2024.
The testimonial dinner and the awards night for the Presidential Minerals and Environment Awards will cap the celebration in the evening of November 22, 2024.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Endurance and Innovation for Sustainability.” By Dexter A. See