RIZAL (July 21, 2003) – Solid Cement Corp./Island Quarry Aggregates Corp. (SCC/IQAC) is now on its way to implementing the final phase of the rehabilitation of its mined-out Iglesia Quarry, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region IV office reported.

MGB Region 4 Director Salvador Martin said, as per monitoring, the SCC/IQAC was almost done with the second phase of its rehabilitation program for the Iglesia Quarry having already back-filled 90% of the mine-out area.

“The final phase of the rehabilitation program, which is the re-vegetation of the backfilled area together with the installation of the perimeter fences, will be implemented after this,” Martin said.

The rehabilitation of the Iglesia Quarry was part of the commitment set by SCC/IQAC under its Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP), where it envisions a re-vegetated surface as a final land-use for the mined-out area. The company has committed to spend a total of P41.65 million for the complete rehabilitation of the Iglesia Quarry.

According to reports prepared by MGB monitoring team, led by Engr. Edgardo G. Peña of the Mine Environment and Safety Division, SCC/IQAC started the rehabilitation of the Iglesia Quarry in 1999 by constructing a concrete diversion canal at the uppermost quarry face to divert water coming from Kingsville Subdivision away from the quarry site.

The initial phase also entailed the retention of medium width benches at the upper quarry face so as to reduce the slope in the area; cement grouting and rock bolting and anchoring to further stabilize the quarry face; and hole drillings in order to monitor the water level and ground movement using the piezometer.

The first phase of rehabilitation, which was completed on December 2001, had cost the company P20 million.

Currently, SCC/IQAC is in the second phase of the rehabilitation program, which basically involves hauling of overburden materials from Pantay Quarry and the leveling of materials at the site. The activity will require 2.6 million metric tons of backfill material at an expected cost of P20.8 million. Approximately 200 sq. m. will be left as catchment/siltation pond for surface run-off.

After such backfilling, the final phase of the rehabilitation program, which involves the re-vegetation of the mined-out area and the installation of fences, will follow. SCC/IQAC has allotted P450 thousand to complete this phase. (With reports from Engr. Engardo G. Peña, MGB Region IV)