MINE SPILL. A Philex Mining staff checks the penstock at the tailing pond of the Padcal mine in Benguet. Photo provided by Philex

MANILA, Philippines - The last of the government approvals that Philex Mining Corp. needs to temporarily resume operations at its copper-gold mine in Benguet province has been granted.

On Wednesday, March 6, the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) board approved the lifting the cease and desist order on the use of the tailings pond at Philex's mine in Padcal, Benguet, confirmed Environment Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio, also the presiding officer of PAB.

“The resolution has been signed; we are only waiting for the official release of the document by the DENR,” Ignacio told reporters.

Philex still faces a P92.8 million fine for violations of the Clean Water Act after the tailings pond leaked after days of torrential rain in the area.

Ignacio said PAB has not demanded that Philex settle the fine before it can temporarily resume operations .

“The appeals process for the (Clean Water Act) fine is ongoing,” he said.

The Mines and Geosciences previously gave its go-signal for Philex to temporarily resume after the firm paid over P1 billion government penalty for violations of the Mining Act.

Philex pressed for the permission to conduct the beaching months before the onset of the rainy season to prevent a possible collapse of the tailings storage facility an overflow of more silt into the Agno River. - Rappler.com