Govt allows Philex Mining to continue fixing waste pond in Padcal operations

The Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) extended the temporary lifting of a cease and desist order against Philex Mining Corporation so the miner can continue to remedy the damaged Tailings Storage Facility 3 in the company's Padcal operations in Itogon, Benguet.

 

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Philex president and CEO Eulalio Austin said they received a copy of the July 5 order.  

 

“The Board resolved to extend the temporary lifting of the issued cease and desist order last November 28, 2012 to allow respondent to implement its pollution control program by filling the void with fresh tailing as well as the reconstruction of the offset dike under the same terms and conditions,” PAB order read.

 

PAB order Philex to stop using its Tailings Storage Facility 3, which caved in at the height of enhanced moonsoon rains last August and discharged 20.6 million metric tons of mine tailings—the biggest in volume terms in Philippine mining history.

 

Penalties covering the impact of the mine waste on the environment—particularly damaging to Balog Creek and Agno River—have so far reached P280.2 million. The amount was on top of the P1.034 billion settled by the company for violating provisions of the Mining Act of 1995. — VS, GMA News