Apex reports spill at gold-silver mine in Compostela

The Apex Mining Inc. disclosed on Wednesday that there was a tailings spill at its Maco gold-silver mine in Compostela Valley last month, but said that the water quality in the affected area has already been restored.

In a regulatory filing, Apex said the leak occurred at around 7 a.m. on Jan. 15, spilling tailings from the mine's diversion pipe in Lumanggang Creek.

"Initial investigation showed that the continuous, week-long downpour of rain experienced in the area greatly contributed to the incident," Apex said.

The company said the spill was contained by their technical staff at around 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the same day of the incident.

Apex also said that the spill was immediately reported to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region XI that same morning.

Apex said MGB Region XI conducted a site visit the following day and validated the tailings spill. Apex said the MGB's findings have been sent to the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) Region XI.

"The above findings of the MGB-XI showed that the effluents were within the usual limits except for some elevated presence of silt," the company said.

In its report, Apex also said that the water quality in the affected creek has already been restored and that the structural integrity of its tailings management facility has not been affected by the incident.

MGB director Leo Jasareno confirmed the suspension of Maco Mine's operation on Jan. 17 "while evaluation on mine safety is being assessed."

The Maco mine produces around 850 tons of ore per day. — BM, GMA News