MGB lifts suspension of Apex Mining operations in Compostela

MANILA, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has lifted the suspension of the gold-silver operations  of listed Apex Mining Co., Inc. in Compostela Valley on the condition that it wouldl submit a long-term plan to prevent another tailings spill.

On Jan. 17, the MGB suspended the operations of the Maco gold-silver mine of Apex Mining in Compostela Valley after the tailings management facility in its Maco mine  suffered a leak.

The MGB lifted the suspension in an order dated Feb. 13.

 â€œThe Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has approved the request of the company in the lifting of the temporary suspension issued to the company’s operations in Maco, Compostela Valley on the contention that the company has determined the cause of the spills and has mitigated the problem and is undertaking engineering measures to prevent the recurrence of the same,” said Apex.

MGB director Leo Jasareno confirmed the lifting of the order.

The suspension on mine operations was also lifted on the condition that the MGB Region XI would conduct uninterrupted monitoring of the tailings management facility of the mine.

Apex said that after the occurrence of the spill on Jan. 15, 2014, it immediately conducted remediation measures and reported the incident to the MGB Region XI.

The company said the structural integrity of the tailings management facility has not been affected.

The water quality in the affected creek has also been restored, said Apex.

The Maco mine produces around 850 tons of ore per day.