Phu Bia road show showcases modern mining industry
Phu Bia road show showcases modern mining industry
Phu Bia Mining brought the energy and professionalism of its mine sites to Vientiane yesterday for a one-day exhibition about the company and the modern mining industry.
The event featured more than 50 of the company's employees, alongside everything from rock samples and pine tree seedlings, to frogs and huge items of mining machinery.
Over the course of the day, the roadshow was attended by a diverse mix of government officials, university and school students, diplomats, representatives of international non-government organisations, international organisations, members of the business community and the general public.
“We organised this event because we know that many people would like to know more about mining. So we decided to create an opportunity for people to meet our employees and ask them questions,” said Rob Usher, Executive General Manager of Phu Bia Mining.
Four community members from villages close to the company's Phu Kham operations also joined the event. They came to talk to guests about their involvement in the business groups, village banks, training programmes and other initiatives put in place by Phu Bia Mining in order to support community development.
Many guests were keen to talk to two of the company's female mining truck drivers, who drive the company's huge mining trucks, which are five metres tall and can carry around a hundred tonnes of rock at a time.
“We want people to see the reality of the modern mining industry for themselves,” said Mr Usher. “As well as generating significant revenue for Laos, we are environmentally responsible, take safety extremely seriously, and run our business with integrity.”
The company plans to take the roadshow to Xaysomboun province over the coming months.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Viraphonh Viravong said it is great that Phu Bia Mining has launched such a road show and are promoting international standards of corporate responsibility and transparency.
Mr Viraphonh said electricity and mining are critical sectors for the Lao economy and together they account for some 67 percent of exports. By 2025 this figure is scheduled to increase to 77 percent.
“Laos relies on electricity and mining to drive its economy. We want to see these two sectors continue to grow so we need to push ahead urgently according to the government plan,” the deputy minister said.
“However we should do so sustainably and it is a matter that we should focus on together. We can discuss how to generate electricity with sustainability but many people don't understand how to excavate minerals sustainably.”
Many countries understand that Laos wants to develop very fast but they should also know that it wants to ensure sustainability, Mr Viraphonh said.
“In charge of the energy and mining sector, we will try to open the door internationally and accept all concerns and comments because we really want to generate energy and excavate minerals sustainably.”
vientiane times
