Mining firm in ‘Pablo’-hit area weathers storm

MANILA, Philippines – A listed firm operating a gold and copper mining operation located along the devastated path of  typhoon Pablo (international name: Bopha) reported that it weathered the storm.

On Friday, December 7, Philippine-based mining company, Apex Mines Co., Inc., disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange that the company’s mining site in Maco, Compostella Valley remains intact and there were no casualties among their workers and their families.

“(There are) no casualty or injury (that) has been reported among the workers and their families. There was also no damage on the production site and processing plant,” the company’s disclosure stated.

The company’s mine site in Maco, Compostella Valley “experienced non-stop torrential rains and heavy winds for almost 8 hours on Tuesday, December 4, causing the operations to halt to avoid casualties and injuries.”

“Pablo,” the 16th typhoon to hit the country this 2012, left hundreds of people dead and damaged billions-worth of properties.

Some of the casualties due to the typhoon were reportedly due to illegal mining and logging in the province. Executive director of Project NOAH and geologist Alfredo Lagmay said that the prevalence of illegal mining and logging in the province might have exacerbated the extensive damage brought by the typhoon.

Compostella Valley governor Arthur Uy said the damage brought by the typhoon was ‘unexpected’.

Safety measures

Apex Mining chairman Benoit de Galbert highlighted the company mandate on the strict implementation of safety procedures and preventive measures.

“I have said time and again, we will never compromise the safety of our workers and the environment in exchange for profit or other financial considerations,” de Galbert said in the company’s press release.

The company, however, faces minimal costs as the site’s power lines were affected by the strong winds and torrential rains brought by the typhoon. Apex Mining is targeting to repair the damage by the end of the week and is set to resume operations in 4 to 5 days.

Compostella Valley is among the hardest-hit provinces in the Mindanao region that went under Signal no. 1 during the onslaught of typhoon Pablo. – Rappler.com