RP bags top mining industry award in England

The Philippines has been recognized as the best place in the world to invest in mining as it bagged this year’s prestigious Mining Journal Country Award for Outstanding Achievement during the Mines and Money World Congress 2005 in England last Nov. 23.

Besting over 100 countries worldwide, the Philippines was honored for showing significant improvement in investor sentiment in the past year.

This stems from the Supreme Court’s decision that reversed its earlier ruling concerning the financial and technical assistance agreements on mining operations.

The award-giving body also noted the country’s improved streamlining of government bureaucracy, a policy shift to active promotion of sustainable development and the revitalization of the minerals industry, and promotion of responsible mining and best practices.

"We were not expecting this award because the other competitors were strong. The award was given to the country for giving the proper environment for sustainable mining," said Environment Secretary Michael Defensor, who went to Britain to personally receive the trophy, which was about 12 inches high, on behalf of the country.

"This is the most prestigious award in the natural resources sector.  It’s like the Oscars of Hollywood and the Famas of the local movie industry," he said in a news conference.

According to Defensor, the mining industry "will be the one to lift the country to economic recovery."

"It will be the flagship industry to generate revenues for the country, investments and development of the upland communities," he added.

The country competed against six countries, namely Angola, Burkina Faso, Kazakhstan, Mali, Mongolia and Zambia for the Country Award category. 

The Mines and Money World Congress, which was held at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel, was attended by 1,200 delegates, representing companies worldwide including eight ministers of natural resources from various resource rich countries.

Previous winners of the Country Award include Armenia (2003) and Sierra Leone (2004).

A total of 13 awards were given to various countries and mining companies who demonstrated exceptional mining initiatives, and "outstanding" achievers in the international mining industry. Some 120 countries participated in the event.

The awards are organized by Mining Communications, the publisher of Mining Journal, regarded as "the world’s leading and most authoritative weekly mining newspaper."

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CMP) congratulated the country for winning the award.

Philip Romualdez, president of the CMP, said the Philippines’ win was in due recognition for government efforts to revitalize the minerals industry. He said this indicates the international mining and investment community’s approval of the country’s initiatives.

"It signals that the country has the right climate, and the right environment (for mining investments)," said Romualdez, who also attended the news conference at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office.

The country’s achievement came in the wake of the controversial spillover incident at Lafayette mines in Rapu-rapu Island in Albay, which has been blamed for poisoned fish in three communities in the Bicol Region.