Philex wants more time to rehabilitate tailings pond

MANILA, Philippines – Philex Mining Corp., the country’s largest mining firm, will ask the government to allow it to continue operating its mine in Benguet province so it can finish rehabilitating its compromised tailings pond.

The Manuel V. Pangilinan-led firm wants to operate its Padcal mine beyond the 4-month period earlier approved by government.

It said it needs to raise the dike of tailings storage facility no. 3 (TSF3) to 592 meters above sea level from the current 584 meters to ensure its safety especially with the onset of the rainy season.

“This will raise the safety of the pond and will ensure the safety of the mine until the end of its life span,” said Libby Ricafort, company vice president for operations and Padcal mine resident manager.

Philex was allowed to resume operations for 4 months starting March following a suspension in August 2012 due to the collapse of TSF3.

During this period, the company would conduct beaching process, which involves the dumping of fresh tailings to push water out of the pond into an open spillway.

Quoting the company’s foreign consultants, Ricafort said this is the fastest and most economical way to restore the pond’s good condition.

But as the July deadline comes near, the company has just produced 2.4 million tons of tailings for beaching.

To raise the elevation of the beach, at least 4 million tons more of tailings would have to be dumped into the pond.

“We will ask for an extension, we need more time for that,” he said without specifying a time frame for the extension.

Ricafort said the company has yet to formally submit a request to the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau. – Rappler.com