Palawan mining company penalized over silt spill

MANILA, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has penalized Citinickel Mines and Development Corp. (CMDC) for a silt spill incident in its Toronto nickel site in Palawan last November.

MGB records show that silt-laden water escaped from a tailings pond of CMDC’s Toronto mine site in Barangay San Isidro, Narra, Palawan on the night of Nov. 25, 2012 “due to lapses in judgment of the mine foreman who was tasked to drain water from silt pond no. 2 to silt pond no. 1.”

In a report, the MGB said the mine foreman “excavated a canal toward an old and non-serviceable silt sump,” causing the silt to outflow toward a gully and then downslope into the Pinagduguan River.

After an investigation, the Environmental Management Bureau issued on Nov. 29, 2012 a cease-and-desist order for the use of the compromised tailings pond.

Upon assessment, the cost of damage of the spill to farm lots was placed at P146,745, and to the Pinagduguan River, P368,000. The spill affected at least 6.8 hectares of farmlands.

Last Dec. 4, the EMB issued a notice of violation to the CMDC, informing it of the damage assessment and the fines. On Dec. 7, the MGB regional office in Palawan sent CMDC a letter instructing it to immediately pay the compensation due to farmers affected by the spill.

On Dec. 11, CMDC responded, telling the MGB that it has begun undertaking measures to address the adverse impact of the spill.

Sought for comment, MGB director Leo Jasareno said they would ensure that the CMDC comply with the EMB’s notice of violation and immediately compensate the affected farmers. 

While the CMDC continues to operate the Toronto mine site, the MGB regional office has been instructed to determine if it is still fit to do so, Jasareno said.