Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC) pursues its primary goal to positively impact communities while fostering significant economic growth. Through the years, the company has been upholding the principles that enable a safe and sustainable mining industry with respect to energy efficiency, waste minimization, and environmental protection.
Being conferred the Presidential Award in this year’s Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) for surface mining category, PGMC takes pride in having gained this industry recognition, which clearly demonstrates its efforts in creating a culture of environmental stewardship and social responsibility that guides all of PGMC’s operations—a testament as to how committed it is to performing “above and beyond” in all facets of compliance.
PGMC has also embedded the ISO 14001:2015 into the core of its mining operations—from clearing vegetation, stripping of topsoil, mining, truck loading & hauling, stockpiling, LCT loading, pollution control measures, rehabilitation of mined-out areas, and office operations.
In keeping with this year’s theme, “Pusong Minero: The Quiet Heroes of the Pandemic,” PGMC has been very active in extending the much-needed support to all people who were severely affected by the crisis. To date, over Php 35 million was spent on its COVID-19 response efforts. The company continues to work closely with various local government units in helping communities combat the spread of the virus and providing relief during this time of need by donating personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies, test kits, disinfectants, vitamins, medical equipment, rice, and other essential goods, as well as conducting medical services and participating in the building of a molecular laboratory in Surigao and a COVID-19 test center in Palawan.
From the time PGMC first implemented its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), Php 357 million has already been spent developing its host and neighboring communities. The company’s community change agents underwent consultations to ensure that about 200 programs that are being conducted annually were aligned with the United Nation’s roadmap towards eradicating environmental challenges and social ills. Among these initiatives is the PGMC’s Food Security Project, a major program that aims to provide its beneficiaries food on the table and extra income. This program has been running successfully and recorded notable outcomes for taking a holistic approach in supporting communities, including giving them tools and the know-how in starting egg machine, aquaculture, or communal gardening enterprises.
PGMC also understands the value of good education in personal development and societal progress. To ensure that the Clavernon youth receive equal access to learning, PGMC provides elementary and secondary schools with educational materials and supplies, and gives financial support to additional volunteer teachers. The company also sponsors the education of deserving Clavernons through full scholarship grants while providing them with regular allowances and incentives during graduation. The company has already produced 105 graduates since the start of the program. Currently, 125 scholars taking up mining, mining-related courses, and other fields of discipline are under this program.
In upholding its commitment to community and environmental stewardship, PGMC vows to undertake every measure to manage the impact of its operations and carry out effective rehabilitation thenceforth. It shall continue to fulfill its role in the continuous development of communities by creating jobs, delivering basic and essential health, education, and infrastructure services, and enabling communities to become self-sufficient, self-sustaining, and self-reliant even after mine-life.