Mercury contamination of Caraga rivers feared

BUTUAN CITY — Uncontrolled dumping of toxic waste materials from small-scale gold mining operations in the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao and Agusan may have poisoned thousands of people relying on Caraga rivers for their drinking water.

Worse, deep wells and reservoirs near the Agusan River may have already been contaminated with the highly toxic mercury used by small-scale miners and gold panners since the late 80s in gold-rush areas near the river.

These were the fears raised by Agusan del Sur provincial board member Santiago Cane in a letter to President Arroyo, the departments of health and environment and natural resources, and Agusan del Sur Gov. Eddie Plaza.

In a resolution, the Agusan del Sur Sangguniang Panlalawigan itself has asked Congress, DENR, Office of the President and the Department of Health to investigate the mercury contamination of the Agusan River.

Cane said the deterioration of the Agusan River may be blamed on the continuing small-scale gold mining in the mountain ranges of Compostela Valley which dump mercury wastes in tributaries and creeks leading to the Agusan River.

Earlier, Cane told The STAR that he has brought the alarming situation to the attention of the Provincial Board Members’ League of Caraga Region.

In response, the league has formed a committee, headed by provincial board member Faustino Asis, to look seriously into the matter.

The panel is expected to submit its findings on the extent of mercury poisoning to the league after a three-month investigation.

Cane has also asked the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Bureau of Mines and Geosciences to investigate and take appropriate measures to stop the mercury contamination of the river.

Based on laboratory tests, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said water samples from the Agusan River contained three to 11 minute parts of mercury for every liter, exceeding the maximum allowable mercury content of only two minute parts per liter.

The DOST said the mercury contamination of the Agusan River has reached a dangerous level.