Citinickel fined for Palawan mine silt spill

Citinickel Mines and Development Corporation (CMDC) has been penalized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for a silt spill at its Toronto mine in Barangay San Isidro, Narra, Palawan last November. According to the MGB's report of the incident, the silt leaked from the mine's tailings pond no. 2 on Nov. 25, 2012, "due to lapses in the judgement of the mine foreman who was tasked to drain water from silt pond no. 2 to silt pond no. 1." This result in the flow of silt outwards to Pinagduguan river, the report added. The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) issued a cease-and-desist order on the use of the tailings pond on November 29. The assessment of the damage cited at least 6.8 hectares of farm lands affected by the spill, with a cost of P146,745. The cost of the damage to the river was placed at P368,000. The EMB issued a notice of violation to the company on December 4, noting the damage and fines incurred. CMDC has informed the Mines Bureau that it has begun rehabilitation measures on the river and the farms affected by the silt spill. MGB director Leo Jasareno said that Citinickel must comply with the EMB notice and pay the compensation owed to the farmers. Jasareno added that the bureau will review the mine to assess whether it should be allowed to continue operations. — BM, GMA News