Mine firm’s tailings pond leak reaches villages

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Villages along Philex Mining Corporation are asking for help as leaks from its tailings pond reached the villages.

Residents of barangay Pangbasan, Dalupirip reported damages caused by an overflow in Dam 3 during the onslaught of typhoon Gener.

Village chief Eddie Amuasen has written Libby Ricafort, vice president for Operations and resident manager of the mining company, as well as the entire Provincial Board on the matter.

Amuasen said the strong flow of water during the typhoon has damaged and affected livelihood of village residents.

The village chief is asking for intervention on behalf of his town folks wherein 39 residents reported damages to property, livestock, and crops.

Damage to property includes fish traps, water pumps and panning equipment. Lost livestock involves goats while crop damage is confined to damaged trees and root crops.

Philex Mining voluntarily moved to temporarily stop operations in its Padcal Mine in August, owing to the unusual accumulation of rainwater in Tailings Pond No. 3 after two weeks of heavy rains brought about by Typhoons Ferdie and Gener.

The operations in Padcal Mine have been re-organized to focus on immediate remediation and rehabilitation of its tailings storage facility and the impact of water and sediments leak on the environment.