In an order dated Aug. 24, the DENR granted Lafayette’s motion for a "full-capacity" test-run during the third stage, which would involve a simulation of an actual milling operation of its polymetallic project on Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.
Lafayette was permitted to proceed with the third stage after it had passed government standards in the first and second stages of its test-run.
The first stage involved water test-run, while the second stage was for water and rock test-run in the mining firm’s Rapu-Rapu facility.
Alongside the milling test-run, the DENR would look into Lafayette’s capability to ensure pollution control and emergency response.
The DENR granted 15 days for the third stage of Lafayette’s test-run. The period starts on the day the company receives the order, which Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes had approved.
The DENR, however, said the full-capacity test-run of Lafayette would be conducted gradually.
The first day would involve 30 percent rated capacity, and the second and third day, 60 percent and 80 percent, respectively, and "progressively increased until the full capacity is attained."
"However, notwithstanding the favorable recommendation of the case, the same should not be construed by (Lafayette) as a license to proceed with its operation in an uncontrolled or unsupervised manner," the DENR order stated.
"The (DENR) regional office shall continue to closely monitor (Lafayette’s) operation, and will appropriately act if warranted by the circumstances," it added.
The regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau recommended that Lafayette’s motion for 100-percent rated capacity during the third stage test-run and the schedule of the test-operation be granted.
Previously, the DENR only allowed Lafayette to test-operate at 30-percent rated capacity for the third stage.