Trial runs sought to test Rapu-Rapu safeguards

Various groups in Albay are asking the government to allow the Rapu-Rapu polymetallic project to conduct test-runs to find out if its corrective measures meet the standards for safe and responsible mining operations or not, and to settle other pending critical issues once and for all.

Albay Rep. Carlos Imperial, in a letter to President Arroyo early this month, said the temporary operations would show to all parties from Albay and Sorsogon if the project meets existing environmental regulations or not.

Lafayette chairman and president Carlos Dominguez had said the test-runs are the best way to measure the company’s compliance and likened it to test-driving a car before buying it.

The Rotary Club of Metro Legazpi also weighed in, saying in a resolution that it would like to see if Dominguez is true to his promise that the company under his new management would act responsibly and serve as a partner in the region’s prosperity.

Schools and the business community in the province are expected to follow suit shortly.

The company expects to complete its remedial measures this month and has formally asked that it be allowed to test them under the close monitoring of all concerned and authorized parties.

Dominguez promised that the company would not operate unless it fully complies with all standards and regulations for responsible mining.

Earlier, the UP-National Sciences Research Institute confirmed five previous studies conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that the Sorsogon mercury issue was a hoax.

Company director and corporate secretary Julito Sarmiento said these tests were conducted while the project was not operating, thus "all the more that the temporary resumption of operations makes sense to find out if the project has anything to do with any environmental problems in the area."

He added: "We have nothing to hide and are willing to operate under the glare of the closest scrutiny. Nothing comes close to really getting at the truth than this and no one is more eager than us in testing our newly installed systems and processes."

The company has repeatedly said that it does not use mercury and Rapu-Rapu Island, where its project is located, has no mercury problem, thus it could not have caused any contamination across the sea in Sorsogon.