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Lafayette to resume Philippines mining
Email Print Normal font Large font March 13, 2006 - 3:20PM

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AdvertisementAustralian mining firm Lafayette, suspended by the Philippine government for two recent toxic spills, expects to resume operations next month.

Lafayette Mining, through its subsidiary Lafayette Philippines Inc (LPI), operates the sprawling gold, copper and silver mine on the island town of Rapu-Rapu in Albay province, about 350km south-east of Manila.

The Philippine government suspended the operations at the mine in January and fined the company almost 11 million pesos ($A290,000) following two toxic spills that angered villagers and killed fish.

Lafayette Philippines president and chief executive officer Carlos Dominguez says five of the six conditions imposed by the government have been complied with and the last one will soon be in place.

These included a comprehensive anti-pollution control program.

To avoid more pollution, Lafayette raised from 127 metres to 135 metres the mining plant's dam wall and widened its base. It also expanded its tailings pond.

"We want to ensure the structural integrity of the dam and the company has commissioned experts to make sure that the elevated dam can withstand strong rains," said company chief legal counsel Bayani Agabin.

He said while Lafayette is keen to resume operations as soon as possible, it must make sure first that there won't be a repeat of the previous incidents.

© 2006 AAP