Lafayette mining resumption
I denounce the Department of Environment and Natural Resourcs (DENR) for its decision to allow Lafayette Philippines to resume operation on Rapu Rapu Island in Albay.
It is unfortunate that DENR has given this Australian-controlled firm the green light to extract gold ores on the island over the objections of residents, who live in fear of cyanide poisoning.
In October 2005, Lafayette was directed by the government to suspend its operation after its dam that held the cyanide laced wastewater overflowed twice and contaminated rivers and waterways downstream. A dangerous chemical, cyanide is used in gold processing.
The two accidents occurred after only three months of operation. Apparently, Lafayette takes its environmental responsibilities very lightly. I can therefore understand the people’s concerns.
I would not be mollified. An independent fact-finding commission, headed by Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon, had recommended the permanent shutdown of the firm.
The Bastes Commission was created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo following widespread condemnation of the spillage and fear of environmental degradation.
What’s the use of creating an investigating body if the government won’t heed its recommendations? As regards to claims of compliance as basis for the reopening, no independent body had made the appraisal to determine their validity or falsity.
Defend Patrimony!, a nationwide movement that calls for an amendment of the Mining Act of 1995, said DENR and Lafayette refused to allow any independent fact-finding mission into the mining site to authenticate compliance for the duration of the two test runs.
Until its operation was suspended, Lafayette Philippines was producing an average of 2,500 ounces of gold a month. Aside from Lafayette of Australia, LG International Corp. of South Korea and Korea Resources Corp., which is government owned, make up the main stockholders of the firm.
February 21st, 2007 at 7:08 pm
it’s so unfortunate that news like these do not take center-stage in media. usually media is the arena for useless and unnecessary political battles, where we waste our resources and time, instead of focusing on issues like these.
the environment does not have a voice of its own. our rich resources are being exploited not simply by our fellow filipinos, but by foreigners who will make bucks, without any regard of the consequences to our environment.
and in the same breath, guimaras is also shunned aside; news about its clean up and the fate of the fishermen and their families has been set aside for the news on elections. it feels like it has been forgotten, and only a handful of people realize the significance of resolving this environmental issue.
i personally fear that rapu rapu and lafayette will be another mount diwalwal. please do not let that happen, sir congressman. thank you for writing about this, and i hope that you will remember these environmental issues (and the whole environment for that matter) in the senate.
many thanks.
mariel from up masscomm