TUBA, Benguet – The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) will be conferring to Engr. Eulalio B. Austin, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Philex Mining Corporation (PMC), the 2021 Outstanding Professional of the Year in the field of Mining Engineering during a virtual awarding ceremony on November 21, 2021.
The Outstanding Professional of the Year Award is the highest award bestowed by the Commission upon a professional as recommended by his or her peers for having sufficiently demonstrated professional competence of the highest degree and conducted himself or herself with integrity in the exercise of his or her profession; meaningfully participated in professional activities through the professional organization; significantly contributed to the advancement of the profession; and sincerely and effectively discharged personal and professional social responsibility through meaningful contribution or participation in socio-related activities.
Austin made significant contributions to the development of mining engineering during his active career with his stint with the Philex Mining Corporation over the past 3 decades having occupied various positions like mine engineer, draw control engineer, mine production superintendent, mine engineering and draw control department manager, engineering group manager and min division manager aside from being the assistant resident manager and vice president for operations before being promoted to senior vice president for operations and eventually the president and chief operating officer.
He also co-authored the Philippine Mineral Reporting Code and the compliance ore reserve estimation and feasibility of Philex’s Silangan project in Mindanao.
The Philex official is also an accredited competent person by the Philippine Society of Mining Engineers for underground mining for copper and gold deposits aside from authoring the technical report on ore reserve estimation for the company’s Silangan project to support the declaration of mining project feasibility.
Austin also co-authored technical papers presented in the annual Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) Symposium from 2005 to 2009.
He also designed and facilitated the installation of the sacrificial conveyor atop the cable hauled conveyor worth P17 million at Padcal mine aside from designing the 782-ml block cave level at the mine site and justified the installation of 2 underground crusher stations worth P200 million.
Engr. Austin also pioneered the use of GEMCOM PC-BC in long, mid and short-term production planning in the country and successfully extended the life of Padcal through engineering interventions and continuous operational and cost improvements.
Austin also facilitated the pro-active construction of quarantine facilities in the mine camp and ensured the sustainable implementation of social development and management projects for the benefit of the mining company’s host and neighboring communities.
Austin is a native of Tadian, Mountain Province and was able to climb the ladder of success through hard work and dedication with the company having risen from the ranks to become one of the top executives of the company and the first Igorot to be at the helm of the country’s largest gold and copper producer. By HENT
