P400,000 worth of quick lime seized

CEBU, Philippines - Five truck loads of quick lime materials were recently seized by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 at the warehouse of the Carmen Copper Corporation in Toledo City.

The trucks, which are loaded with a total of 100 metric tons of quick lime with a market value estimated at P400,000, were found to be illegally transported from Basay, Negros Oriental.

Shortly after receiving a tip from an unidentified person, the MGB-7 personnel led by director Roger de Dios immediately did an ocular inspection and verification of the alleged illegally delivered materials at CCC warehouse in Don Andres Soriano, Toledo City.

During the verification, it was found out that the materials come from the stockpiles in Basay, Negros Oriental while the Ore Transport Permit (OTP) presented by the operators and drivers reflected a misdeclared mineral commodity.

De Dios said that the OTP presented to them only allows the transport of raw limestone and not the quick lime, which is already a refined kind.

Likewise, he said the operators of the apprehended trucks failed to present a Certificate of Accreditation of Trader-Processor, a requirement for the transport of quick limestone.

“The apprehension was due to the misdeclaration of material as contained in the OTP. Also, the lack of CATP which shall support the processing, production and trading of quick lime,” de Dios explained.

Quick lime, scientifically known as calcium oxide (CaO), is a caustic alkaline substance produced by heating limestone in specially designed kilns.

The apprehended trucks are now confined at CCC warehouse while the MGB-7 conducts administrative investigation to determine the exact penalties to be imposed against the violators.

The bureau is also studying the liability of the CCC for buying the materials from non-reliable source.

De Dios said his office has already advised CCC earlier to buy materials only from reliable and accredited sources.

MGB-7 said the CCC has already withdrawn its payment for the illegally transported quick lime, which the company was supposed to use in neutralizing the acidic water that comes from the mine before the water is disposed to the rivers of Toledo City.

The bureau strictly monitors such cases in line with the DENR’s more vigorous campaign against environmental law violations.

In a separate development, four trucks loaded with limestone and filing materials were also seized in barangays Budlaan and Talamban, Cebu City on February 19. The operators will be slapped with maximum fine or penalty of P10,000 per truck.

According to DENR, the illegal mining along with illegal logging are among the major causes of environmental destruction in the country. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB (THE FREEMAN)