3 mining firms in Zambales told to pay P3.2M

MANILA, Philippines - Three mining companies operating in Zambales province have to pay P3.2 million in compensation for farmers whose lots in the municipalities of Sta. Cruz and Candelaria have been damaged by their operations.

According to the Mines and Gesociences Bureau (MGB), the Contingent Liability and Rehabilitation Fund Steering Committee (CLRFSC), composed of various government agencies, has passed a resolution approving the claims for compensation of farmers whose lots were covered by nickel laterite. 

A total of 30 farm lots located in Barangays Tubo-Tubo North, Tubo-Tubo South and Lomboy were affected by the mining operations of Benguet Corporation Nickel Mines, Inc., Eramen Minerals, Inc., and LNL Archipelago Minerals, Inc.

The claims were approved based on the report of the Regional Investigation and Assessment Team created by the MGB Regional Office III.

The amount of claims were computed based on the impact areas and river systems immediately located in the contract areas of the mining companies. The total amount of compensation, said the MGB, would be distributed among the three companies based on the extent of damage caused by their operations.

In July 2014, the MGB suspended the nickel extraction operations of the three mining firms because of unsystematic strip mining methods.

MGB Director Leo Jasareno said unsystematic strip mining operations lead to inefficient recovery of minerals and cause adverse environmental impacts like siltation in bodies of water and generation of dust.

Before the suspension of operations, residents of Sta. Cruz were complaining of nickel contamination in shores and rice fields.

The companies were ordered to remove all stand-by stockpiles in open cut areas and store these in designated stockpile areas equipped with proper drainage systems.

The firms were also ordered to implement maintenance measures for the duration of the suspension. Compliance reports should be sent to the MGB regional office for compliance.