Berong Nickel Corporation (BNC), a mining operation owned and operated by DMCI Mining Corporation, has successfully passed the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS) Surveillance Audit, held last 5 – 6 August, 2019, conducted by the auditors of National Quality Assurance (NQA), an United Kingdom Accreditation Service accredited certifying body.
Led by the company’s ISO Management Representative Ms. Irma P. Libranda, in close coordination with the compliance team, particularly, the Environment Department headed by Mr. Jay Pee R. Dela Cruz and the Safety Department headed by Mr. Rolando L. Sajot, the surveillance audit conducted covered the documentation and actual physical inspection of all the mining activities giving high emphasis on the impact it has towards the environment as well as the safety, health, and welfare of its workers.
The audit scrutinized evidence and proof that all the projects and programs implemented by the company are in compliance with the requirements not just of all the legal requirements from the various governmental departments, agencies and bureaus but also giving consideration to the contracts entered into by the company with other external providers.
NQA lauded the company’s dedication to uplift the working conditions of its employees by ensuring that the highest standards of the safety and health are strictly implemented. The company’s Mine Rehabilitation programs and activities were also extolled and commended.
The commitment to the continuous development and improvement of their environmental and safety programs is best summarized by this statement from their Resident Manager Engr. Marc Raymund L. Zamora, “We very much welcome again this momentous achievement. This is a testament that we commit to our programs beyond compliance, and duly take note of the commendations and opportunities for continuous improvement. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our top management and the whole BNC family both at the head office and Berong site, for the full support of this undertaking. Congratulations everyone, and looking forward to our next milestone. Cheers!”
The next surveillance audit for the continual certification under the EMS will be held in July of 2020.
