Sumitomo Metal subsidiary wins presidential mining award

November 27, 2017

Coral Bay Nickel Corporation won the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award ( PMIEA) in the mineral processing category for the fourth straight year Saturday during the 64th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference held at CAP-John Hay Trade Center and Cultural Center, Camp John Hay, Baguio City.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and Chamber of Mines President Gerard Brimo conferred the award to CBNC and SR Metals Inc. for winning the same award under the surface mining operation category.

CBNC, a subsidiary of Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd., is a hydro metallurgical processing plant operating in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan since 2005.

In his acceptance speech, CBNC President Toru Higo said it took 10 years for the company to receive the highest award and maintaining that for four years is even harder.

While the firm admitted nickel and cobalt prices were not favorable in the last two years, Higo said “the budget for environmental protection was never touched.”

CBNC also won safest mines award and a runner-up for “best mining forest” award this year.

"For this year, out of the 32 mining firms who submitted their entries, there are 22 who qualified, as compared to last year when there were only 24 who submitted their entries and only 20 who was validated and qualified," PMIEA president Louie Sarmiento told the press before the ceremony.

The PMIEA was established under Executive Order No. 399 on February 3, 1997 in compliance with the policy that mineral exploration activities and mining operations shall not only be pro-environment but also pro-people. DMS