Honorary Consulate of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Davao, Philippines and Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) Chairman, Mr. Joseph C. Sy, has been recognized as Asia’s Profound Leader in Mining Industry for his commitment to responsible mining practices and his contributions to advancing the Philippine mining industry.
Organized by Asia’s Golden Icon Awards, the ceremony took place at the Grand Ballroom of Okada, Manila on May 31st.
For nearly two decades, Mr. Sy’s leadership has been a driving force behind the success of Surigao-based Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC), a subsidiary of FNI. The company has earned numerous awards for its dedication to economic development, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment. This includes being recognized by the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Awards (PMIEA) for five consecutive years and securing the prestigious Presidential Award for two years in a row.
Mr. Sy aims to replicate this success and apply sustainability practices through FNI’s Palawan-based Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC). As of 2024 Q2, INC has already surpassed its reforestation targets, planting over 1.8 million seedlings in different provinces in Palawan.
During his acceptance speech, Mr. Sy expressed his gratitude to the awards council, outlining his vision of positioning FNI as an industry leader in exceeding standards and encouraging ethical practices in all aspects of operations.
“This award not only honors me but also holds the potential to influence our community,” he said, elaborating his commitment to continue promoting sustainable social and economic growth through effective community development initiatives, disaster response, and environmental conservation efforts.
Mr. Sy further emphasized his commitment and determination to strive for greater excellence in the industry and the economy, and advocated for policies that protect both the environment and communities, while strengthening the entire Philippine nickel mining sector. A pioneer of the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA), Mr. Sy has also played a crucial role in setting high environmental and social governance standards within the industry.