DENR allows 60-day extension of Lafayette test run

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) has granted the request of Lafayette Philippines for a 60-day temporary lifting order (TLO), extending its previous 30-day test run in its Rapu-Rapu project in Albay.

In a three-page order, the PAB upheld the recommendation of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 5 to allow the 60-day extension of Lafayette’s test run, noting that mine operation was intermittent, thus affecting the efficiency of the mine facility’s detoxification system.

The MGB-Region 5 said that "sufficient time is necessary" for the Base Metal Plant’s parameters "to stabilize" considering that Lafayette has just conducted test-run operations using actual ore.

The PAB allowed Lafayette to proceed with the third stage of the test run at full capacity.

However, the simulation of the actual mine operation was subjected to a schedule, from 30-percent capacity on the first day, 60-percent capacity on the second day, and 80-percent capacity on the third day and progressively increased until full capacity is reached.

"After due deliberation and consultation, (Lafayette’s) request for a 60-day (TLO) is hereby granted which shall be reckoned from Sept. 9, 2006," stated the PAB order dated Sept. 11, which was approved by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes.

With the granting of Lafayette’s request, the PAB compelled the Australian-owned mining company to submit within five days from receipt of the order an update of specific actions or activities it will undertake to ensure all conditions previously imposed by the PAB are complied with.

Lafayette had filed before the PAB a motion for a 60-day extension of its test run for further "plant optimization stage.

Lafayette spokesperson Bayani Agabin said they thought it best to further their test run at this time to determine effectiveness of their plant and in order to have more accurate data of compliance with the government-set conditions.

"We deem it best at this time to seek for the extension of the test run rather than seek the permanent lifting of the CDO because we only have data for seven days at a partial (30 percent) rated capacity.

A 30-day or 60-day data at a full (100 percent) rated capacity would be best for accurate data on facility’s environmental compliance," Agabin explained to reporters during a minesite visit last week.

In the same PAB order, however, Lafayette was advised, "to exercise prudence and caution in making press releases which might unduly preempt the deliberations and decision of the board on the matter."