Nickel miners mobilize relief operations in Albay

As part of the mining industry's commitment to support government initiatives, members of the Philippine Nickel Industry Association, Inc. (PNIA) have mobilized relief operations in Albay province.

“The Philippine Nickel Industry Association reiterates its commitment to participate on programs of government specially during calamities and disasters,” said PNIA President Dante Bravo. Bravo, who also serves as the president of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc., said the entire mining industry will always be ready to help the country during times of need as well as support government initiatives geared towards sustainable development and nation building.

Aside from Global Ferronickel, which is the second largest nickel producer in the country and the largest single lateritic mine exporter in the world, PNIA includes CTP Construction and Mining Corporation, Citinickel Mines and Development Corporation, Carascal Nickel Corporation, DMCI Mining Corporation, Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation, and Agata Mining Ventures, Inc.

PNIA is a non-stock and non-profit organization established in 2012 to foster a strong partnership between the government and the private sector in revitalizing and developing the nickel industry in a manner that balances economic, environmental, and social objectives.

To be exact, over R1.4 million worth of goods were provided by PNIA and its partners in Mayon relief operations. The association also donated slippers, bath soaps, face masks, antibiotics, children’s vitamins and sacks of old and new clothes that will potentially benefit some 19,000 displaced families or 75,000 individuals.

A team composed of PNIA and Land Rover Club Philippines representatives went to Albay last week to transport and personally hand over the relief goods to the Provincial Government of Albay along with the regional representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB).

PNIA was joined by the Land Rover Club of the Philippines, ANSECA Development Corporation, MRMJ Earth Movers Corporation, IPM Development Corporation, and RONIN Motorcycle Club in sorting and packing the good as well as provided logistics support in conducting a relief operation for the province of Albay. (MMB)