MGB closely monitoring Benguet Corp
THE MINES and Geosciences Bureau in the Cordillera Administrative Region is keeping a keen eye on Benguet Corp. after its mine tailings leaked on August 17.
The leak came from its Tailings Storage Facility 3 (TSF3) which was triggered by the heavy and continuous rains that occurred last month.
Investigations show the leak was due to a breach at the penstock of the TSF3 when rotten wooden stopper boards gave way to water pressure caused by the monsoon rains.
During a monitoring on September 5, the gully area grew from 5, 865 cubic meters (as of August 29) to more than 6,000 cubic meters (September 5), as survey computations are being finalized to determine
exact area.
The gully area approximates the amount of mine tailings leaked and will be meted an equivalent fine of P50 per metric ton.
The concerned DENR regional offices have been closely monitoring the company’s efforts to contain the leak and implement a permanent solution to the problem.
On August 22, Ralph Pablo, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resource-CAR, Mines and Geosciences Bureau – CAR regional director Fay Apil, and Environmental Management Bureau regional director Reynaldo Digamo visited the site and met with the company’s representatives for a briefing.
Two days after, DENR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations of Luzon, Joselin Marcus Fragada, together with the environment’s regional directors conducted a technical conference with the company’s representatives.
MGB-CAR recommended the total decommissioning of the penstock with the plugging of its run-off tunnel. All surface water must be drained through the open spillway of the TSF. A penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow from the tailings storage facility.