By
Dexter A. See
TUBA, Benguet – The Mines and Geosciences
Bureau granted Philex Mining Corporation full operations of its
gold-and-copper production at Padcal mine, in this province, as the government
regulator permanently lifted a cease-and-desist order issued after a 2012
tailings-leak accident.
In a two-page letter,
dated Aug. 27, the MGB said Philex Mining’s compliance to its environmental
obligations, such as payment of required fees, the carrying out of immediate
remediation measures, and the submission of proof on the safety and integrity
of its tailings dam. It also mentioned the formal requests from various groups
in favor of the company.
“The above facts show
that the issues emanating from the tailings spill incident have been
substantially addressed, to warrant the resumption of the normal operation of
Philex under the existing mining contracts with the Government,” MGB Director
Leo Jasareno said in the letter addressed to Philex Mining CEO and President
Eulalio Austin, Jr.
Manuel V. Pangilinan,
chairman of Philex Mining, said, “We are delighted that the government has
taken careful notice of our efforts as its partner toward environmental
protection and economic development through responsible mining. This has made
us more resolute in our adherence to sustainable development.”
The MGB also noted
Philex Mining’s successful implementation of its Rehabilitation and Cleanup
Plan at the areas affected by the accident, including the sealing off of TSF3’s
penstock system, or underground tunnel drainage, and replacing this with anopen
spillway, which can handle 1,500 millimeters of rain at any given time.
“The foregoing
premises considered, the Cease and Desist Order dated 02 August 2012 of this
Office is hereby permanently lifted, to allow Philex Mining Corporation to
resume mining operations … subject to compliance with the terms and conditions
of the pertinent Mineral Production Sharing Agreements and the provisions of
Republic Act No. 7942 and its Implementing Rules ad Regulations,” it added.
Austin said Philex
Mining’s commitment for sustainable development, adding, “We are grateful to
our employees, outlying communities, and all other stakeholders for their
support and hard work to make us continue being a responsible miner.”
The company’s SVP for
Corporate Affairs, Michael Toledo, said the company is always more than happy
to continue working with the government on environmental protection and
nation-building through responsible mining, including “our forestation and
reforestation projects,” which have harvested a number of awards.
Philex Mining had
voluntarily suspended operations immediately after its Tailings Storage
Facility No. 3, in the Benguet town of Itogon, discharged nontoxic water and
sediment onto theBalog Creek, a tributary of the Agno River, on Aug. 1, 2012,
following historically unprecedented rains brought about by two successive
typhoons. It resumed production only starting from March 8, 2013 based on a
four-month temporary lifting order issued by government and which was extended
indefinitely afterwards.
The company has abided
by government requirements for the resumption of its operations at Padcal mine,
including payments of P188.6 million as environmental obligation to the
Pollution Adjudication Board, in relation to Republic Act 9275, otherwise known
as the Clean Water Act, last June 5, and P1.034 billion to the MGB, on Feb. 18,
2013, as fees over the accidental discharge of sediment.
Gov. Nestor B. Fongwan
welcomed the latest decision of the MGB to lift an earlier cease and desist
order it issued against the mining company, saying that Philex had been
instrumental in charting the overall economic growth of the province through
its significant contributions to infrastructure development and contributions
to employment opportunities and sources of livelihood for the people.
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