ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE – TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc. (TVIRD) has IN NO WAY contributed to the recent flooding in Siocon township and in neighboring municipalities, brought about heavy rains caused by tropical depression “Lawin”.
On the contrary, TVIRD’s Sulphide Tailings Impoundment Dam collected all rainwater impacting its mining operations and has “evened out” the flow of water into the Litoban/Siocon river system, reducing the effect of the rains on the downstream areas.
And contrary to rumors attributed to certain political actors, there are no collapsed or damaged dams or dikes in the Canatuan project. For one thing, there are no dikes around Canatuan where the company operates. More important, the Sulphide Tailings Impoundment Dam, our only operational dam, is standing unperturbed by the rains and continues to boast its designed 8-meter freeboard (the distance between the surface of the contained water and the top of the dam).
The unfortunate recent events were simply an act of God over which man has no control. Engr. Jay Nelson, VP for Environment and Civil Engineering Services, said that the recent downpour recorded one of the highest rainfall events in decades.
Rainfall data collected at the Canatuan Mine since 1994 indicate this storm event is one of the largest recorded. Rainfall for the 24 hour period of September 23 and 24 indicated a total rainfall amount of 227 millimeters.
This is the highest 24-hour rainfall recorded in Canatuan since daily records were collected in 2003. Based on data from nearby PAGASA weather stations, this rainfall amount is equal to a 10-year storm event. Rainfall for the month of September to date is 648 millimeters. This is more than twice the average rainfall for the entire month of September. More than half of this rainfall occurred during the three day period of September 21 to 23.
This type of rainfall is very uncharacteristic of the area and results in higher river flows, overtopping of the river banks and flooding. This is also compounded by the active nature of the Siocon River and the constant alterations in the river location and floodplains.
To reiterate, all the TVIRD operations and facilities within the area are operating as designed and are operating no differently than before the storm event. Runoff from the area, including the surface mine, is still collected within the operating tailings impoundment and released through the spillway.
Operation of the impoundment and spillway have actually reduced the peak flow in Canatuan Creek and provided flood protection benefits for the downstream reach of the river system. The impoundment and spillway have been designed and constructed to operate safely for storm events considerably greater than what has recently occurred.
Nelson, moreover, said that the dam is designed to operate at the highest possible maximum flood event which is 1655 mm in 24 hours. The sulphide dam even helped mitigate the flooding by detaining water from Canatuan creek from flowing downstream, Nelson concluded.
Neverthless, TVIRD President Eugene T. Mateo said that the company is doing its best to help those affected by the calamity especially in its host municipality Siocon. VP for Corporate Social Services Renne Subido has said that his department provided relief efforts/assistance to landslide victims.
Also, the Civil Engineering Services (CES) headed by Department Manager Engr. Edilberto Nercuit continues to make repairs on roads rendered impassable due to the flooding. At the height of the flooding on the evening of September 24, the CES crew responded to the landslides in Barangay Butalian along Kilometer 9 of RT Lim road.
As always, the company is one with the people of Siocon in this hour of calamity. Rest assured that the company will assist and aid whatever it can to help alleviate the plight of the victims of one of the worst natural calamities affecting Siocon.
20