DENR to assess Albay mine site

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes has ordered an assessment of the mining operations of the Rapu-Rapu Processing Inc. (RRPI) in Albay after a series of typhoons hit the country.

The order was issued in compliance with the 30-day test-run extension given to the RRPI to pave the way for the DENR to decide on the issuance of a permanent lifting order so the company may resume normal operations.

Reyes said the DENR will send technical and multipartite teams to Rapu-Rapu to assess RRPI’s mining operations and the effects of typhoons "Reming" and "Seniang" on the company’s mining infrastructure.

"From their reports, I will base my decision on whether to issue a PLO or not," he said.

In a recent meeting with Reyes, RRPI officials sought for the issuance of the PLO so the company can resume normal mining operations after its test-run ended last Dec. 8.

Reyes said some factors will be considered in the issuance of a PLO. First, he would like to see if the RRPI has set up the appropriate environmental structures and if there is an assurance of the safe disposal of mine tailings and the proper use of chemicals in mill operations, among others.

RRPI officials said the company has complied with DENR standards on safe and sustainable mining.

They also said the company’s environmental structures — ponds, tailings dams and pipelines — remain intact after Reming and Seniang struck the country.

They said the typhoons damaged only the roofs of the company’s administration building, processing plant and the warehouse as well as electrical installations and some structures in the wharf area.

Lafayette Mining Ltd., RRPI’s mother company, issued a statement on Dec. 12 that it has fully complied with DENR conditions for a resumption of operations.

Carlos Dominguez, Lafayette Phils. president, said the RRPI is expecting a $15-million investment from the South East Asia Strategic Asset Fund, from which it will draw funds to spend for the repair of the typhoon damage.

However, Reyes said the RRPI must make these repairs first and put the required safety structures in place before he can issue a PLO.

"Our dams, ponds, the open pit and other environmental infrastructure incurred zero damage despite strong winds and rains, with plenty to spare," Dominguez said.

"The environment was fully protected, as we had promised early this year that we would be the model of responsible mining here," he added.

"Our environmental systems could not have been subjected to a worse test and we passed with flying colors," he said. "That allowed us to shift our people and quickly mobilize (them) to help in rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of typhoon Reming."

Lafayette deployed an 80-member rescue team and served as coordinator of DENR-led efforts in Albay, the province hit hardest by Reming.

"We followed to the letter the conditions imposed by the DENR and hewed closely to all technical specifications," Dominguez said. "There were no shortcuts to save on costs. We also had a management team and internal systems that were primed to quickly respond to all sorts of emergencies and eventualities."