Philex wants more time to stabilize damaged Padcal tailings pond

Gold producer Philex Mining Corp. will ask the government for more time to stabilize its damaged tailings pond at its copper-gold Padcal mine in Itogon, Benguet, an official of the mining firm said.

Philex Mining Corp. vice president and Padcal mine resident manager Libby Ricafort said the company needs to continue its activities in Benguet to be able to raise the elevation of the beach being constructed in its tailings pond no. 3, which polluted environs around the mine due to a leakage last year.

Ricafort said the beach elevation being created along the dike must be raised to 592 meters above sea level from the current 584 meters above sea level to ensure the safety of the damaged tailings pond, especially during the rainy season.

“This will raise the safety factor of the pond and will ensure the safety of the mine until the end of its lifespan,” he said.

Ricafort said Philex has yet to formally make the request to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

"We really need additional time. To be honest, we are not after the volume and tonnage, we are after the factor of safety. As you can see here, it is very clear that there is still so much work to be done, even if we are already operating 24/7. Because as the tailings pond gets higher, the surface which needs to be filled up gets wider, hence, more sediments needs to be produced, " he said.

Last March, the Pollution Adjudication Board of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) gave Philex Mining four months to temporarily operate and fill the void left in its damaged tailings pond. This would increase its stability as the solid tailings would fill the pond and push water away from the dam, creating a beach.

During the four-month resumption of operations, the company intended to produce 3.5 million tons of fresh tailings for the beach. Nearing the end of the deadline on July 8, the company has produced only 2.4 million tons of tailings.

Philex currently faces a penalty of P180 million for violation of the law, particularly the Clean Water Act. — AC/BM, GMA News