Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc. (ISRI), a fully-owned subsidiary of Apex Mining Co. Inc., is awarding around Php 40 million as support to its partner small-scale miners situated in Itogon, Benguet.
In a report by Philippine Star, Apex Mining said ISRI handed over Php 40.5 million to Dalicno Small Scale Miners’ Association (DASSMA) starting 2021 until 2023, as part of its Big Brother Small Brother (BBSB) program
As per Apex, it has remitted around Php 17.9 million to DASSMA through ISRI in 2023.
Apex Mining President and CEO Luis R. Sarmiento shared that the firm considered small-scale miners as their partners in contributing to the economic advancement of the area where the company operates.
The mining firm further iterated that one of its strategies to fortify the mining practices of small-scale miners was to parallel their operations with necessary mining protocols.
ISRI provides partners information on mining safety and operations, and instructions on proper gear and equipment to ensure safe and responsible mining operations.
ISRI established BBSB three years ago and has urged multiple small-scale mining groups to get involved in the program to boost their income.
It should also be mentioned that ISRI had collaborated with two new small-scale miner groups, namely, Balingway Sangilo Small Scale Miners’ Association and Demang Livelihood Association.
In the agreement, ISRI would distribute selected areas or slim deposits of economic values to BSSMA and DLA to utilize.
