The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has imposed stringent conditions for Lafayette Mining Ltd.’s 30-day test run recently directed by the department for its mining operation in Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.

DENR Secretary Angelo T. Reyes said “the conditions were imposed to ensure that the environment is not compromised” resulting from the test run.

The DENR last Tuesday directed Australian Lafayette Mining Ltd. to test run its mining operation in Rapu-Rapu island to determine the overall environmental soundness of its mining operation and the adequacy of the measures it has put in place to prevent a repeat of the two wastewater spills in October last year.

Reyes said Lafayette has to comply with three sets of conditions in relation to the go-signal to test run. These include the conditions before, during and after the test run.

First, before it can start the test-run operation, Lafayette has to satisfy the following conditions: the payment of P10.4 million in initial fines; extension of the validity of its surety bond; completion of its environmental safeguards which include storm drainage canal, dam monitoring instruments, emergency control mechanisms, sumps along concrete lines, proper storage facility for chemicals and monitoring equipment to measure levels of cyanide, acidity and other chemicals.

Before the test run, the mining firm is also required to collect baseline data on the levels of naturally-occurring mercury, acidity, AMD and other heavy metals in the ores/rocks, and water to determine the impact of the mining operation; submit the schedule of the dam buildup for the period when the test run will be conducted; and secure the following clearances from the DENR: wastewater discharge permit, lifting of the suspension on the use of cyanide and lifting of suspension of milling operation.

During the test run, the mining firm should also observe the following: open the test run to the public and release the results publicly, commission 3rd party experts to observe the test run and its results, adopt environmental measures and strictly adhere to standards, maintain freeboard in the lower tailings dam of at least 5 meters to ensure adequacy in containing water during heavy rains; and construction of spillway in the lower tailings dam.

Also during the test run, Lafayette is required to commission 3rd party experts to assess and recommend measures regarding the integrity of the tailings dam and the adequacy of its preventive measures to address acid mines drain (AMD), and to submit agreement with the EMS Auditor to ensure that the EMS process for ISO certification for 1400 is started.

After-the-test-run conditions include the following: regular sampling of water and tailings for physico-chemical and trace metals; to maintain water quality within DENR standards for ph, total suspended solids, cyanide, iron, mercury, cadmium, lead, zinc, copper and chromite; and to submit final mine decommissioning and rehabilitation plan by December 2006; and the putting up of a deposit amounting to 50% of the decommissioning and rehabilitation plan budget within six months after approval. (DENR Public Affairs Office)

June 16, 2006