BENGUET Corporation (BC) has taken responsibility on the tailings leak at Antamok, which appeared last week, alarming residents.
Breaking their silence, BC in a statement assured “the minor leak of mine tailings discovered from Antamok tailings impoundment area caused by the unusually heavy rains brought by Super Typhoon Lawin and a breach in the drain tunnel of the underground Antamok mine has been put under control.”
BC said as of press time there are no further leaks observed.
The statement added preliminary estimates showed only a negligible 50,000 metric tons of tailings material leaked into Liang River, which is substantially less compared to previous incidents in other mines.
BC said the Antamok open pit mine has not operated since 1998 while the Antamok underground mine has not been operated since 1989.
According to the statement, the impounded tailings have solidified due to the long period of time it remained idle.
BC said the open pit and underground mines had been on continuous care and maintenance through the years and technical studies have been going on for possible tailings reprocessing project and conversion of the open pit to water reservoir for a bulk water project, engineered sanitary landfill (ESL) to waste-to-energy projects and minahang bayan.
The Antamok mine tailings area also serves as catchment for mine tailings from the rampant unregulated small-scale mining activities in the upstream area.
BC said there have been no reports of undue harm to individuals while possible damages to private property if there be any, is being verified. Discussions are also ongoing held with the local communities.
Meanwhile, Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan said he hopes the sinking stops so an investigation could take place.