posted December 11, 2016 at 07:05 pm by Mike T. Toledo

Philex Mining Corporation, one of the largest gold and copper producers in Southeast Asia, is celebrating its sixtieth year as a publicly-listed corporation (PLC). Though the company was incorporated in 1955, it was only on November 23, 1956 that it was listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The anniversary celebration kicked off at the Padcal mine camp, Philex’s stronghold in the North, with a tree-planting at the decommissioned and rehabilitated Tailings Storage Facility No. 1 (TSF1). Contrary to popular misconception, the soil that is returned into a decommissioned storage facility, as part of its proper rehabilitation, is fertile enough to grow trees on or even start a forest with. Considering that when Philex first entered the area, the mountains were all barren due to over-logging by previous concessionaires. Now the area is lush with greenery and vegetation.

Several activities followed like the Women’s Forum held together with the DIWATA Women in Natural Resources Development group spearheaded by former Ambassador and Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert, medical missions in the host barangays, and a poster-making contest for both elementary and high school students. Philex also saw active participation in the year’s Mining Philippines 2016 conference at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Resorts World, Pasay City, and at the 63rd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference at Camp John Hay, Baguio City.

The celebration culminated in a series of events at two fronts: for Padcal, with an anniversary luncheon, blessing and inauguration of the Anniversary Park, and Salayaw (a telling of the company’s history in decades through dance) program; for the Corporate Head Office in Mandaluyong, with a formal dinner held at the Isabela ballroom of the Shangrila Makati.

Here’s to many more years for Philex, as it continues to live the tradition of responsible mining in the country.