MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 5, 2012) – Philippine authorities have suspended the operation of one of the country’s largest mining firm, Philex, following a leak on its Padcal tailings dam in northern Luzon’s Benguet province.
Authorities said it is still assessing whether the leak caused any serious damage to the environment. Philex insisted the discharge was not toxic, but the leak Friday found its way to Agno River in the province.
The river is the source of water in the region and there were reports that villagers noticed discoloration following the leak.
Philex, which is mining gold in the town of Itogon, said the leak was accidental and that it is working to restore the dam.
Environmentalists and anti-mining groups have blamed Philex for the leak and urged Manila to take actions against the mining firm and to investigate whether it violated laws.
Activists have previously warned the dangers pose to the environment by the Padcal mining project in the province.
Manuel Pangilinan, chairman of the Philex Mining Corp., doused fears that the leak was toxic and said they are working on the repair of the tailings dam.
He said Philex is one of the few mining companies that have delivered on their environmental commitments as required by law and regulation.
“The care of the environment has been our utmost priority at every stage of the mine life. In 2010, Philex spent P271.7 million for environmental stewardship, which includes reforestation and watershed management programs as well as best practice and cost-effective methodologies to protecting ecology where we operate,” he said.
Philex achieved 124% growth in Core Net Income from P 1.8 billion in 2009 to PP4.2 billion in 2010. It said gold revenue, comprising 54% of total revenue, rose to P7.2 billion from P5.1 billion in 2009 and P5.4 billion in 2008. (Mindanao Examiner)
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