Experts warn of severe effects of mining ops

Friday, January 27, 2012

FOREIGN experts who conducted studies on the possible effects of mining in the country said Thursday that harsh effects of the mining operation in Tampakan, South Cotabato to the people and to the environment could last up to thousands of years.

Dr. Catherin Coumans, research coordinator of MiningWatch Canada, who conducted years of researches and study on the possible effects of mining operation in the country, said in Thursday's International Conference on Mining in Mindanao that worst incidents that had happened in several countries in the past might happen in the Philippines if the government will allow the operation of mining giants in the country to continue.

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Coumans, in particular, had conducted several studies on the effects of Canadian mining firms to the Philippines' natural resources and to the health of the people.

Another scientist, Clive Montgomery Wicks, conservation and development consultant who specializes in the impact of extractive industries echoed the same sentiment as Coumans.

For Wicks, the multi-billion-dollar investment offered by the Tampakan project cannot suffice what mining might brought.

Wicks said Tampakan mining is the most dangerous mining operation he has ever seen in the world as a researcher.

Wicks co-authored a book entitled "Philippines: Mining or Food," along with Dr. Robert Goodland, environmental scientist, who specializes in economic development.

"I have never seen a dangerous proposal in my whole life as that in Tampakan," Wicks said, adding the natural and geographical condition of Tampakan is not suitable for any mining operation.

In terms of its geographical location, Tampakan lies on fault lines and mining operation in the area might trigger seismic activity.

If in case the Tampakan mine will continue, Wicks said, this will endanger not only thousands of locals in Cotabato but also large portion of Mindanao since one of the most important and largest watershed in the country can be found in Tampakan area.

Wicks continued that should the mining giants continue to operate, it will generate nearly three billion tons of toxic waste which is highly dangerous both for humans and the environment.

"We do not think mining industry is serious (with their promises) and we do not think the Philippine (government) is doing something to control it," Wicks told Sun.Star Davao.