4th August 2012, Manila, PHILIPPINES - Philex Mining Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer Engr. Eulalio B. Austin, Jr., has announced that as of 8:30 AM yesterday, August 3, the release of water and sediment from its Tailings Pond No. 3 has been contained.
"Despite the heavy rains, thick fog and strong gusts of wind in the area, our team has successfully removed concrete stopboards at the penstock area of Tailings Pond No. 3,"
Engr. Austin disclosed yesterday. "Since the mine continues to be closed, no further tailings are added to the pond," he added.
Emergency response procedures will continue to ensure minimal damage to the downstream communities, as the Company reiterates that the water and sediments that have been discharged from the tailings pond are safe and non
toxic and that no injuries or fatalities have been reported as a result of this incident.
"We will conduct full assessment of the measures that need to be undertaken for rehabilitation, including the clean up of affected waterways," Engr. Austin said. "All of us at Philex are mindful of doing the right thing. We will stand by our commitment to being a responsible mining corporation."
Philex Mining Corporation temporarily stopped operations in its Padcal Mine, in Benguet Province, as a precautionary measure after heavy rains for the past two weeks brought about by typhoons Ferdie (international codename Vicente) and Gener (international codename Saola) resulted in an unusual and heavy accumulation of rainwater in the
tailings pond.
Mine and milling operations were stopped at about 12:00 midnight on 1st August 2012, Wednesday, for the purpose of conducting a full inspection of the tailings pond and the surrounding areas in order to assess the condition of the tailings pond. The mine will continue to be closed to allow for a full assessment of the tailings pond.
Initial inspection showed that water and sediment are being discharged from one of the two underground tunnels that drain clear water from the penstock in the tailings pond.
Philex is exerting its maximum effort to address the accidental discharge, and has mobilized the requisite resources in this regard.
The Company has reported the accident to the Mines and Geosciences Board (MGB) on 2nd August 2011, 3:00PM. MGB issued a cease operation order to Philex until such time that the safety and integrity of the tailings pond is assured. The mine will be closed to allow for a full assessment of the situation and the implementation of necessary remediation measures.
The Company has informed and is working in close coordination with the LGUs concerned as well as the regulatory agencies, i.e., DENR-CAR, MGB-CAR and EMB-CAR. MGB Director Leo Jazareno has conducted an inspection of the area on August 3, Friday.
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