Philex pays P188.6-M fine for Padcal mine tailings spillage

MANILA, Philippines - Listed Philex Mining Corporation paid yesterday the penalty of P188.6 million imposed by the government in connection to the massive tailings spill that occurred in its Padcal copper-gold mine in Benguet in August 2012.

The penalty imposed for violation of the Clean Water Act of 2004 covered the period from August 2012 to February 2014.

On Aug. 1, 2014, some 20 million tons of water and sediment were discharged from one of the two underground tunnels of the mine’s tailings storage facility (TSF) no. 3, contaminating the Agno River and Balog Creek.

In an order dated May 26, 2014, the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) said the water quality in the waterways affected by the spill is now within the water criteria required by the government.

After testing water samples collected from Balog Creek and Agno River from March 14 to 15, 2013, the PAB ruled that all heavy metals and total suspended solids were within the standard water quality.

The findings confirmed the testing conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) on Oct. 18, 2012, results of which showed that the discharges were non-toxic.

 â€œWe’ve always expressed our commitment to abide by government rules, including on environmental protection, “ said Philex Mining president and CEO Eulalio Austin in a statement.

PAB also recognized the rehabilitation works and the cleanup activities conducted by Philex Mining in the environs of the mine.

The PAB is a quasi-judicial body ruling on pollution cases.  It’s administrative aspect, however, still resides within the DENR.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) director Leo Jasareno said Philex would continue its rehabilitation measures in the mine.

“There are still rehabilitations works (that have to be completed),” he said.

In February 2013, Philex Mining settled a fine of P1.034 billion imposed by the MGB for violation of the Mining Act of 1995.