Philex allots P74M for environmental, social projects at Padcal site

Nearly one year after a tailings pond leak in its Padcal mine in Itogon, Benguet began spilling millions of metric tons of silt and mining residue into nearby waterways, Philex Mining Corporation announced that it has allotted P74.04 million for social and environmental projects in the area.

The amount consists of the actual funds allotted for this year pf P65.79 million, plus P8.25 million carried over from 2012.

Of the total, about P34 million will go toward livelihood activities, with P17.07 million allocated for education and P5.07 million for healthcare, the company said.

Production at the mine, which was shut down on the day of the leak, resumed operations last March so that the void left in the tailings pond could be filled with 3.5 million MT of fresh tailings to stabilize it in time for the rainy season.

The company had been given four months to fill the pond with the requisite amount of tailings. Last month, Philex received government approval to continue its operations at Padcal past the deadline.

The government has yet to decide on the length of the extension to be given Philex to continue its repair of the tailings pond, with the company seeking an extension of two years.

In an earlier statement, the company said that the copper concentrate produced during the resumption of operations would not be sold until the DENR lifts its suspension order on the mine.

Philex paid a record P1.034 billion in total fines to the government for the environmental damage caused by the leak. — BM, GMA News