DENR says Lafayette fit to resume operations in Rapu-Rapu

RAPU-RAPU, Albay — Officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) yesterday declared Lafayette Mining’s P1.4-billion polymetallic project here as fit to resume operations.

The operation of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Inc. (RRPI) was suspended last November after the spills, which affected local creeks. The $60 million venture has since restarted work under government supervision, pending clearance from authorities.

MGB director Horacio Ramos and MGB environment division chief Michael Cabalda said that the cease and desist order (CDO) issued against the company could now be permanently lifted after it has satisfactorily complied with the conditions set by the government.

"Technically, Lafayette has been compliant with all the conditions. The political and economics issues would be a different matter... we don’t want to delve into that," Ramos said.

From a technical point of view, Cabalda also sees no reason why the suspension order will not be lifted.

"We cannot preempt though the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), which would decide on whether to lift the suspension order or not," he said.

The MGB officials, however, stressed that Lafayette still has to fulfill third-party reviews on two more aspects of its rehabilitation, and finish installation of some safety measures.

Third-party experts, they said, should review the stability of the tailings dam design and the acid mine drainage (AMD) program of Lafayette’s mine project. The review would also determine if the dam and its AMD would still need improvements.

As this developed, the RRPI announced that it has requested the PAB, headed by Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes, for a 20- to 30-day extension of the test run they are conducting here.

Lawyer Bayani Agabin, spokesman for Lafayette, said they thought it best to continue the test runs to determine the effectiveness of the plant and to have a more accurate data of compliance to the conditions set by the government.

"We deem it best at this time to seek 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 the facility’s environmental compliance," Agabin pointed out.

Ramos welcomed the motion, saying that such move was a "cautious act" to make sure that all modifications and improvements at the mines would be stabilized.

He said though that they are prepared to issue a comprehensive report on the test runs even without the 60-day extension.

The third phase of the test run started last Aug. 25 and is set to be concluded at 11 p.m. tonight.

Lafayette’s environment officer Carmelita Pacis reported that as of Sept. 4, the mine company has complied with all 15 conditions of the Mines Rehabilitation Fund Committees (MRFC) and six conditions of the PAB, including improvements in the dam structure, drainage systems, effluent, and detailed rehabilitation plan. — With Cet Dematera