The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) recognized seven member companies for excellence in responsible mining at the inaugural Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Excellence Awards, held recently in conjunction with the Mining Philippines 2026 International Conference and Exhibition at Conrad Manila.
Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp. emerged as the sole Gold Awardee in the awards program’s Cross-Cutting category, which recognizes companies that have effectively integrated responsible mining principles into their leadership, governance, innovation and community relationships.
“Responsible mining isn’t measured by good intentions. It is proven in how we safeguard our lands and waters, protect the health and safety of our people, partner with local communities and Indigenous peoples, and maintain strong, transparent governance,” COMP Chairman Michael Toledo said.
He emphasized that public trust must be earned through consistent performance, transparency and accountability, adding that the awards recognize companies that have made responsible mining an integral part of their business practices.
The ceremony was attended by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns Michael Cabalda, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Larry Heradez, and Mining Association of Canada President Pierre Gratton.
Cabalda underscored that TSM complements government regulation by helping companies strengthen their environmental, social and governance performance, build investor confidence and earn social acceptance. He also commended COMP for raising industry standards and demonstrating the Philippines’ potential to be a reliable and responsible supplier of critical minerals for the global energy transition.
Heradez, meanwhile, stressed that mining’s contribution to national development must go beyond economic benefits to include environmental protection, worker safety and support for host communities.
“TSM helps companies assess their performance, go beyond compliance, and continuously improve their practices,” Heradez said, describing responsible mining as a shared responsibility among industry, government and other stakeholders.
The awards covered the 2024 and 2025 external verification cycles, with accredited external verifiers assessing companies against established TSM protocols and criteria.
The Protocol Awards recognized excellence in specific areas of responsible mining, while the Cross-Cutting Awards assessed how effectively companies integrated responsible mining principles into their governance, leadership, decision-making and organizational practices.
Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative leaders of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp. (RTNMC) celebrate after receiving the Gold Cross-Cutting Award, the highest recognition under the TSM Excellence Awards. In photo are DENR Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns Michael Cabalda (far right), Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Larry Heradez (second from left), Mining Association of Canada President Pierre Gratton, and RTNMC Resident Mine Manager Ronel Suguitan (fourth from left). The awards program’s Cross-Cutting category assessed how effectively companies integrated responsible mining principles into their governance, leadership, decision-making and organizational practices. Meanwhile, TVI Resource Development Philippines, CTP Construction & Mining, Filminera Resources, Philex Mining, Taganito Mining and OceanaGold Philippines received Silver Awards in this category.
For the Protocol Awards, Taganito Mining Corp., CTP Construction & Mining Corp. and Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp. received Gold Awards for Community Partnership and Shared Development. In Safety Leadership and Zero Harm Excellence, Rio Tuba and CTP received Gold Awards, while Taganito received Silver.
In Water Stewardship and Watershed Responsibility, OceanaGold Philippines Inc. and Rio Tuba received Gold Awards, while TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc.’s Balabag Gold-Silver Project received Silver. Filminera Resources Corp.’s Masbate Gold Project received Silver for Nature Positive Mining Excellence.
OceanaGold Philippines and Philex Mining Corp. both received Gold Awards for Tailings Integrity and Risk Governance Excellence, with each achieving a perfect score of 5.0 in the protocol assessment.
In the Cross-Cutting category, TVI Resource Development Philippines, CTP Construction & Mining, Filminera Resources, Philex Mining, Taganito Mining and OceanaGold Philippines received Silver Awards.
COMP also presented Gratton with a special award recognizing MAC’s contribution to the adoption and implementation of TSM in the Philippines, following the organizations’ cooperation and partnership agreement in 2017.
Toledo said the industry must continue to improve as community expectations and global sustainability standards evolve, reinforcing responsible mining as a continuing commitment to environmental stewardship, community well-being and public trust. (END)