Mining operations in Albay island nears end By: Alfredo L. Vargas Jr.

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 12 (PNA) -- The operations of polymetallic open-pit mining in Rapu-Rapu, Albay is set to end this month and decommissioning procedures are expected to start by March. The absence of a decommissioning plan presented to stakeholders by the two main mining firms involved in the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) has triggered fears of possible inefficient environmental recovery and rehabilitation of the mine site, and the impact barangays and contiguous areas. Its open-pit area covers 26 hectares located approximately 200 meters above sea level. The pit is 810 meters in length and 300 meters in width and the deepest part is estimated at 180 meters below ground Bem Redito, an environmentalist and a non-government organization (NGO) representative to the RRPP Mine Recovery Fund Management Council (MRFMC) confirmed to Philippines News Agency the upcoming closure of mine operations in the area and the start next month of decommissioning activities. Redito also admitted that until this week the council has neither been briefed about nor received a copy of the decommissioning plans. Residents have enough bases to fear possible negative environmental impact after the mine operations, just what they had experienced from the operation of the Taiwanese-run coal mining project in Batan Island, one of the three islands of Rapu-Rapu town, from early 80’s until early 90’s. In Batan Island, there are at least three gigantic lakes that were created from the open-pit areas of hundreds of meters depth and width left behind by the Taiwanese firm, posing grave hazards the community up to the present especially during the rainy season. These, aside from the lost forest cover and the soil quality had remained unfit for farming because the ground was loaded and spread with materials excavated from the pit. “We share with the residents feelings because they have already experienced the effects of environmental neglect before”, said Redito giving assurance that he will propose for the involvement of the fisheries and aquatic resource management councils (FARMC) in every barangay in the island in the decommissioning activities. Other residents fear loss of employment and other economic benefits in the town including the multi-million taxes yearly generated from the mining operations. Not less than 900 locals are employed in the mine site. Last December 19, 2012, a total of P16.5 million was generated from the Real Property Tax for Machineries and Equipment of RRPP. RRPP is a zinc and copper mining venture owned and managed by the Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc.(RRMI), which handles the exploration works, and the Rapu-Rapu Processing, Inc. (RRPI), which is in-charge for processing and marketing. RRPI owns the first and only zinc processing plant in the country. There are four other companies sharing in the mining management and technical and financial interests – the Korea, Malaysia, Philippines Resources (KMP), LG International, the Malaysia Smelting Company (MSC), and Korea Resources Corporation (KORES). Rapu-Rapu Island has been known to have rich mineral deposits and had a long history of mining activities believed to have started during the Spanish occupation. The town first became famous for rich gold deposits with the operation of Hixbar Gold Mines in 1936. During the war, the Japanese army took over the mining operation, but HIxbar was able to recover ownership after the liberation and resumed operations until 1960. After Hixbar, came the Benguet Corporation operating from 1960 until 1982, then in the early 90’s, mining was resumed by Toronto Ventures, Inc. and the LaFayette Philippines, Inc. RRPP was acquired by RRMI in 1999 and massive mineral extraction began in 2003 with a total investment of US$33.5-million. The base camp of mining and processing operations has been set up at the eastern tip of the island with a concession involving 180 hectares. The site covers the whole barangays of Pagcolbon, Binosawan, and Malobago and parts of barangays Linao, Tinopan and Santa Barbara. Series of small creeks nearby and downslope from the wide and deep open-pit trickle down the hilly terrain toward the sea. Two of them, the Maypajo and Catmon Creeks are with mine tailing storage facilities. Redito said RRMi has earlier assured the MRFMC that the company will regularly monitor the rehabilitation works for 10 years from start of decommissioning activities. “Our concern, aside from the quality and quantity of recovery and rehabilitation efforts directly after mining operations shuts down, is the other effects in the environment that are sure to become visible 10 years later or more”. He said. The multi-million recovery fund deposited by the mining firms does not cover the rehabilitation of the site and contiguous areas beyond 10 years.(PNA)