Tampakan, South Cotabato – Candidates and organizers of the Search for Lum’alay Queen 2025 in Tampakan, South Cotabato had gained practical and eye-opening insights into excellent and responsible mining practices of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI).
SMI recently conducted an on-site tour for the 16 candidates and organizers of this year’s Search for Lum’alay Queen 2025, to its facilities located at Barangay Liberty, in Tampakan town.
The tour, held last June 11, 2025, was part of the beauty pageant’s events and activities to gain insights on responsible mining practices, environmental care, and sustainable community development in Tampakan.
“I gained a deeper understanding of mining and how SMI commit to responsible practices. It truly changed my perspective.” said candidate Christian Joseph Hernandez, reflecting on the tour’s impact.
Lum’alay Queen 2025 organizer Ruben Ibay Baclas Jr., who himself was an SMI Education Program beneficiary, also said the tour amplified their awareness about the importance of sustainable resource management.
He noted that their visit to SMI’s Liberty Core Farm, enriched and empowered candidates to become ambassadors for positive change, as well as advocates for responsible mining.
During the tour, the group gained an appreciation of the SMI’s Core Storage Warehouse, Core-logging Area, Material Recovery Facility (MRF), Plant Nursery, and Mine Layout Scale Model.
The pageantry delegation was also enlightened on the importance, role and impact of responsible mining in peoples daily lives, with the realization that progress and development cannot exist without mining.
“Events like this help bridge the gap between the community and industries through education and meaningful dialogue,” he stated. (30)
