Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC), the operating arm in Surigao of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc., one of the country’s leading nickel ore producers, announces its recognition with the prestigious Best Adopt-an-Estero/Waterbody Program award at the Water Summit 2025. The summit, organized by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), was held on June 27 in Quezon City.
The Water Summit 2025 served as a vital platform for government and private sector stakeholders to highlight innovative and sustainable practices in water quality management and ecosystem rehabilitation. This year’s theme, “Community-Led Rehabilitation and Multi-Sector Partnerships: Empowering Communities through the Adopt-an-Estero Program,” underscored initiatives that empower local communities and demonstrate long-term environmental impact.
PGMC distinguished itself as one of only two mining sites, and the sole nickel mining company, to receive this significant accolade. This recognition underscores PGMC’s decade-long unwavering commitment to the rehabilitation and protection of the Kinalablaban River in Claver, Surigao del Norte, under the Adopt-an-Estero/Waterbody Program (AEWBP).
Key rehabilitation efforts implemented by PGMC included comprehensive river cleanups, strategic riverbank stabilization through boulder linings, and extensive revegetation with over 30,000 hills of indigenous plants and bamboo. Furthermore, the company initiated waste segregation and recycling programs in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) and conducted regular water quality monitoring. These concerted interventions have successfully revitalized the Kinalablaban River, leading to restored river flow, significantly improved water quality, and enhanced vegetation, fostering a healthier ecological environment.
Beyond the profound ecological benefits, PGMC’s initiative has provided the local community with a functional and thriving river ecosystem. This achievement reinforces PGMC’s leadership in environmental care and highlights its strong alignment with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, reaffirming its commitment to responsible mining practices.
This esteemed award solidifies PGMC’s dedication to exceeding compliance standards and setting a benchmark for environmental protection within the industry. Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) is currently exploring the replication of this successful program in its other operational areas, as it continues to uphold its commitment to responsible and sustainable mining practices across all its ventures.
