#WhyMining: A Twitter discussion on Philex mine waste spill

Rappler.com

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What are the environmental risks of mining? How can they be addressed? Rappler holds a conversation on Twitter on September 5, 4:00 pm - 6:00, using the hashtag #WhyMining

Why Mining?

MANILA, Philippines – Since August 1, mine tailings have already leaked 4 times from the tailings pond of the Padcal mine of Philex in Benguet. The latest reported wastage spillage at its only operating tailings pond at the mine site was last Thursday, August 30.

Bad weather, particularly the continuous heavy rains from typhoons Gener and Ferdie, caused the mine tailings spill, gold and copper producer Philex Mining Corp said.

The tailings pond is where the mining firm contain the sediment and other dumps from the process of extracting minerals from ore. The pond is situated at about 30 kilometers downstream of Agno River from its confluence with Balog River. Drain tunnels release water into the Balog River, which runs for about 2.5 kilometers before merging with the Agno River.

The spillage has not reached the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, a source of irrigation and power generation.

The hydroelectric powerplant is situated downstream of the Agno River. Philex representatives have said that water and sediment from Padcal’s tailings pond were safe and nontoxic. No injuries or fatalities had been reported as a result of the incident also.

Investigation on the environmental impact

But the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is yet to release next week the result of the investigation it conducted in the aftermath of the spill.

According to MGB director Leo Jasareno, his agency has dispatched two teams to investigate the incident. A 10-man team was assigned to ascertain the environmental impact, particularly the extent of siltation.

On the other hand, a 6-man team has been assigned to determine civil and criminal liabilities of Philex.

The MGB has issued to Philex a cease operation order on Friday, August 3, after the mining company reported the leakages.

Under the Mining Act of 1995, the mining company could be fined at least P325 million for the nearly 5 million cubic meters of sediments that spilled. 

History of tailings dam failures

But the environmental group Kalikasan said Philex must permanently shut down its mining operations in Benguet, claiming that it has not complied with the highest environmental standards.

“It cannot cover up the fact that TP3 (Tailings Pond No. 3) was the lone mine tailings dam operating in the mines and could not be clean from heavy metals and other toxic chemicals,” said Clemente Bautista, president of Kalikasan Partylist.

“Hydrologists in the San Roque Dam also witnessed muckish spilling in the dam turbines’ outflow, further corroborating the contamination of the downstream rivers with mine wastes,” Bautista added.

According to Kalikasan, Philex Mining Corporation has a history of tailings dam failures, including the overflowing of the silt dam in their Sibutad gold project in Sibutad, Zamboanga del Norte in 1998, a leak in the decant tower of a tailings pond in their Bulawan gold mine in Sipalay, Negros Occidental in 1995, and the collapse of a dam wall also in the Padcal mines way back in 1992.

#WhyMining Twitter discussion

Will the latest mining waste spillage spell disaster for indigenous communities and farmers in Benguet and Pangasinan? What are the environmental risks of mining? How can they be addressed? Rappler will hold a conversation on Twitter on September 5, 4:00 pm – 6:00, using the hashtag #whymining.

Representatives from the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, Philex and the environmental group Kalikasan will serve as main discussants. But  affected sectors, advocates, and concerned netizens are encouraged to join the conversation. Make your voice heard! – Rappler.com

For the existing mining contracts in the Philippines, view this #WhyMining map.

How does mining affect you? Are you pro or against mining? Engage, discuss & take a stand! Visit Rappler’s #WhyMining microsite for the latest stories on issues affecting the mining sector. Join the conversation by emailing whymining@rappler.com your views on the issue.

For other views on mining, read:

Yes to Mining No to Mining

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