Last checked at 15 Apr 2009 09:00
Metals Exploration PLC
Runruno Gold-Molybdenum Project
Sustainability Award won at Asia Mining Congress
Metals Exploration PLC ("Metals Ex" or "the Company"), the natural resources exploration and development company with assets in the Pacific Rim region, is pleased to announce that FCF Minerals Corporation ("FCF"), the subsidiary of the Company which operates the Runruno project, was awarded the Best Community Development Initiative Award at the recent Asia Mining Congress in Singapore.
The award was presented by William Bulmer, Head of the Mining Division for the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group and also a member of the board of judges, to Dr. Ernesto Mendoza, Senior Vice President of FCF Minerals.
To date the FCF Minerals community development program has provided training and assisted in the employment of 640 Out-of-School-Youths (OSY) from the province of Nueva Viscaya in the northern Philippines where the Company's Runruno project is located. The OSY Skills Development and Job Placement Program started with a pilot project in the village of Runruno, jointly implemented by FCF and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Philippine government agency responsible for developing local manpower in the country.
Another member of the board of judges, Kathryn McPhail, Senior Program Director, International Council on Mining and Metals UK, noted that FCF's entry was both relevant and strategic, has a broad base of stakeholders' support and is clearly sustainable with donors fully aware of the roles and commitment they have to make. The Director General of TESDA, Secretary Augusto Syjuco, Ph.D., said that the "award is a concrete manifestation of a best practice that should be emulated and replicated by all TESDA field offices throughout the Philippines".
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Horacio Ramos also congratulated FCF when the award was presented to the Philippine Mining Development Council (PMDC) during a project update at the MGB Central Office.
In his acceptance speech at the award ceremony, Dr. Mendoza said "This award is recognition that we have sustained our commitment to community development". Dr. Mendoza added that the Sustainability Award is not just for FCF, but for the whole mining industry which is now in a position to make a difference to the lives of those living within project areas.
For more information:
Metals Exploration plc + 44 (0) 20 7963 9540
Jonathan Beardsworth (Chief Executive) + 44 (0) 7747 101 552
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