MGB refuses to lift suspension on miner's Surigao del Norte operations

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) turned down a petition from mining firm Greenstone Resources Corp., which had asked that a suspension order on its milling operations in the Siana Gold project in Surigao del Norte be lifted. Mines bureau Director Leo Jasareno said that a joint validating team, made up of MGB and  Environmental Management Bureau personnel, had determined that the necessary remedial measures for the mine's compromised tailings storage facility no. 4 was not completed. Greenstone has been informed of the decision in a letter dated January 6, 2014. The MGB suspended the milling operations of the mine on June 6 last year, after a tension crack was found along the embankment of the tailings pond. "With the milling operation suspended, the mining operation of Greenstone is effectively suspended as well," Jasareno added. The Siana gold project, which was commissioned last year, is expected to produce a minimum of 849,000 ounces of gold at a cash cost of $400 per ounce over a 10-year life. — DVM, GMA News