TUBA, Benguet– Philex Mining Corporation continues to strive for excellence in responsible mining as it is now setting its sights in complying with the prescribed international standards on social responsibility as an aided feather on its cap even if its projected mine life is just around the corner.
Philex legal and human resource management division head and official spokesperson of Padcal mine lawyer Eduardo M. Aratas revealed that while the international standards on social responsibility is still on its initial stage of being crafted, the company is now working towards being able to comply with the stringent rules and regulations so that it could become the first mining company to be issued the coveted recognition once the International Standards Organization (ISO) decides to make it part of the standards certification that it will issue in the coming two years.
“Philex always wants to be a full step ahead of the others in our compliance to the international standards of responsible mining. Social responsibility is one of our strong points that we have to continue working on with the indigenous peoples and our host and neighboring communities that is why we already started working on our compliance to the initially prescribed standards,’Aratas stressed.
The proposed ISO 2600 is the international standard developed to help organizations effectively assist and address social responsibilities that are relevant and significant to their mission and vision; operations and processes, customers, employees, communities and other stakeholders; and environmental impact.
Earlier, Philex was able to acquire the Integrated Management System (IMS) certification for its occupational safety and health and quality management systems. The IMS integrates all of an organization’s systems and processes into one complete framework, enabling an organization to work as a single unit with unified objectives. Organizations often focus on management systems individually, often in silos and sometimes in conflict.
Aratas disclosed that based on the requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), the only requirements for mining companies is to be able to secure the ISO-14001 certification for their quality management systems but Philex was able to overshoot the requirement after having been issued the IMS certification.
According to him, the company wants to be ready for the issuance of the ISO 2600 certification that is why it is preparing for its initial compliance to the prescribed rules and regulations.
Further, Aratas explained that Philex wants to make a statement that despite its upcoming end of mine life, it is able to achieve excellence in all aspects of responsible mining which will be its legacy to the country’s mining industry that could be worthy of emulation by other responsible mining companies since it will be an honor and pride for company owners for having set the standards in the industry amidst the projected closure of the mines in a short period of time. By HENT
