OFFICIALS of a large-scale mining company in Cebu promised to continue practicing responsible mining and to work closely with incoming Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez in her campaign against illegal mining.
Chito Maniago, director for Cemex Philippines Foundation, said they would support Lopez on her responsible mining advocacy.
“It is a welcome opportunity to us. I personally look up to her as very passionate leader,” said Maniago in a press conference yesterday.
Cemex Philippines has one of the big-scale minings in Cebu. Apo Cemex is located in the City of Naga in southern Cebu.
Maniago also said that they are willing to listen, sit down and collaborate with Lopez.
“We in Cemex feel that her leadership is a breath of fresh air,” he added.
“Ms. Gina Lopez has a lot of advocacies like environmental stewardship and mining. Hopefully through education and collaboration, we will be able to share with her how we do mining in the country and provide the safety framework in our operations,” he said.
He also hopes that Lopez will get support from other sectors.
The mining site for Apo Cemex is 192 hectares in Barangays Tina-an, Inoboran and Langtad.
Its mineral commodity is limestone while their mining method is quarrying with multiple benches.
Yesterday, a site tour was held after a symposium regarding responsible mining was held at Apo Cement plant.
For Maniago, responsible mining is environmental stewardship, promotion of health and safety of employees, and working closely with national government agencies.
Aside from Apo Cemex, other big-scale minings in Cebu are in Toledo City, Danao City, San Fernando, and Alcoy.