Tailings spill reported in Compostela mine site

MANILA, Philippines - The Maco gold-silver mine of listed Apex Mining Co. Inc. in Compostela Valley has suffered a tailings spill, the company disclosed yesterday.

In a regulatory filing, Apex Mining said tailings leaked from the Lumanggang Creek diversion pipe of the mine’s tailings management facility at around 7 a.m. of Jan. 15.

“Initial investigation showed that the continuous, weeklong downpour of rain experienced in the area greatly contributed to the incident,” Apex Mining said.

The company said it reported the incident on the same morning to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 11 office.

“At around 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the situation was contained by the technical staff of Apex,” the company said.

Validation of the tailings spill was made the following day and the findings were transmitted to the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) Region 11.

“The above findings of the (MGB-Region 11) showed that the effluents were within the usual limits, except for some elevated presence of silt,” Apex Mining said

To date, the company said the water quality in the affected creek has been restored.

The structural integrity of the tailings management facility has not been affected, it added.

“As per its long established procedures for environment and safety, Apex Mining Co. Inc. took immediate corrective mitigation measures, including voluntary suspension of its own operations, to further prevent or alleviate potential effects brought about by the incident,” the company said.

The Maco mine produces around 850 tons of ore per day.

Last Jan. 17, the MGB suspended the operations of the mine while mine safety was being assessed, said bureau director Leo Jasareno.