KORONADAL CITY — Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), in partnership with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region XII and the Soccsksargen Responsible Miners Association (SRMA), successfully conducted its School Tour 2026: A Forum on Responsible Mining, reaching 285 students from Grades 7 to 12 across four schools in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
The activity was conducted at Tablu National High School on October 14, Tampakan National High School on October 15, Columbio National High School on October 28, and Philippine Science High School – SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus XII on October 29, 2026. It provided students with an opportunity to learn more about the mining industry, responsible mining practices, and the importance of balancing mineral resource development with environmental protection and social responsibility.
Through interactive discussions and information-sharing sessions, the school tour brought responsible mining concepts closer to students, helping them develop a better understanding of the industry’s role, responsibilities, and potential contributions to sustainable community development. It also encouraged them to raise questions, share their perspectives, and become more informed about issues affecting their communities and the environment.
Dr. Rochelle T. Papasin, Ph.D., Campus Director of Philippine Science High School – SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus XII, welcomed the initiative and recognized the value of partnerships in providing students with meaningful learning experiences.
“This is a very good forum for our students, and SMI is a welcome partner to our school. This is truly a good partnership, and I would like to thank DENR, MGB, and SMI for coming up with this program involving PSHS-SRC,” she said.
Similarly, Emilyn Borja, Principal of Tampakan National High School, expressed her appreciation for the activity, emphasizing the opportunity it provides for students, particularly those in Tampakan, to gain knowledge and a better understanding of responsible mining.
“We are very thankful because this activity gives our students, especially here in Tampakan, the opportunity to learn more about responsible mining. Thank you to SMI and MGB for bringing this valuable learning experience to our school,” she said.
The successful implementation of School Tour 2026 reflects the importance of collaboration among the private sector, government agencies, and educational institutions in strengthening public awareness and promoting informed discussions about responsible mining.
Through this initiative, SMI continues to support education and youth engagement by bringing relevant industry knowledge directly to schools. By empowering students with information and encouraging meaningful conversations, SMI hopes to help shape a generation that understands the importance of responsible resource development, environmental stewardship, and sustainable community progress. This also reinforces the company’s commitment to building trust and strengthening partnerships with its host and neighboring communities as the Tampakan Project moves toward commercial operations. (30)
