DENR says inactive mine dam is safe

By Delfin Mallari Jr.InquirerLast updated 02:54am (Mla time) 11/10/2006

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=31685

Published on Page A16 of the November 10, 2006 issue of the
Philippine Daily Inquirer

LUCENA CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has assured the local government and residents of Marinduque that the mine structures and waste facilities of Marcopper Mining Corp. in Sta. Cruz town were intact but vowed to keep a close watch on the inactive mine in the wake of a recent earthquake that hit the province.

“The results of an onsite investigation made by DENR experts showed that there were no manifestations of cracks in any of Marcopper’s structures nor were there seepages along the slopes and toe of its dams,” Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes said in a press statement.

On Oct. 20, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea floor between the islands of Mindoro and Marinduque.

The tremor’s epicenter was located offshore at about 35 km west of Boac town in Marinduque.

Reyes said he immediately sent a three-man team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 4-B (Mimaropa) to the mine site following a request from Marinduque Rep. Edmund O. Reyes and Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes to look for any possible impact of the earthquake on the mine’s structure.

He said he particularly ordered regular clearing of materials along spillways and toes of dams in order to facilitate the monitoring of seepages.

“I have already instructed our men in the field to continue monitoring the site and for the company to institute measures to provide better access for monitoring activities,” said Reyes.According to the DENR report, the MGB team thoroughly checked the various structures of the mine.