No damage from Antamok mine tailings, says Benguet

MANILA, Philippines – Benguet Corp. said no damage to property and individuals was reported following the leak of 50,000 metric tons (MT) of tailings materials in its Antamok mine last week.

In a disclosure to the local bourse, Benguet said an intermittent leak of mine tailings was discovered in the Antamok mine in Benguet following the heavy rains brought by Typhoon Lawin that hit the northern part of the country.

“There have been no reports of damage to private property or harm to individuals. We assure the public that the mine tailings are non-toxic and safe,” the company said.

Based on initial investigation, the mine tailings came from the Antamok tailings impoundment area and the leak occurred in the drain tunnel of the underground Antamok mine which has not been in operation since 1989.

Alongside the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and local government unit, Benguet is undertaking pre-emptive measures including construction of containment dams downstream of the Liang River and the clean-up of spilled tailings.

Benguet said laboratory tests conducted showed no toxic substances were present in the water samples, which means that the leaked tailings material was safe and inert.

The company is also pumping out the water from the 440 open pit to minimize hydraulic pressure build-up, constructing a counter drive to plug the Antamok drain tunnel and diverting the surface inflow water away from the area.

According to Benguet, technical studies have been going for possible tailings reprocessing project and conversion of the open pit to water reservoir for a bulk water project, engineered sanitary landfill and a waste to energy project.

The mine tailings area also serves as catchment for mine tailings from small scale miners in the upstream, following rampant unregulated small scale mining activities in the area.

In a separate disclosure, the company said it received the mine audit report of its Acupan Mine in Itogon, Benguet following the government’s industrywide audit.