laf news update

Palace orders review of mining report

By Joyce Pangco Pañares

Malacañang has directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to conduct a scientific study on the mercury contamination of the waters of Albay and Sorsogon allegedly caused by the Lafayette mining project.

The Palace order came after Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes admitted that his group’s recommendation for the immediate closure of the Lafayette project was based on conscience and not on science.

Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor, a former environment secretary, said an issue as sensitive as mining can only be acted upon by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo if scientific studies would show that Lafayette was guilty, as charged by the Bastes commission, of contaminating the waters of Albay and Sorsogon.

“The report of Bishop Bastes will be further verified by the DENR, and any decision that will be taken by President Arroyo will be based on scientific data,” Defensor said.

The 169-page report of the Bastes panel urged the President to close Lafayette NL’s mining operations in Rapu-Rapu island and to compel the Australian firm to immediately pay the victims of its alleged cyanide spills.

Bastes claimed that Lafayette failed to construct a pond 195 meters deep which was supposed to keep the mine tailings from being spilled to the surrounding environment, and that the Aussie firm pushed through with its operation despite failing to meet the required pond depth.

At a recent press conference in Sorsogon, however, the bishop said his panel’s findings had no scientific basis. “We focused on the historical background and on our personal knowledge but we come up with scientific findings,” Bastes said. His team members “followed our conscience that’s why when we decide, we are sure we will not falter.”

Asked whether President Arroyo was disappointed over Bastes’ admission, Defensor declined to give a categorical answer. “I love Bishop Bastes too much to comment. But the fact that we received his report shows Malacañang has no bias.”

According to Lafayette executives, the bishop’s admission confirmed their earlier position that the findings and methodology of the fact-finding team were flawed and unscientific.

Lafayette said it could not have caused the alleged mercury spill since it does not use mercury in its mining operations.

A member of Bastes commission, Greg Tabuena, who has the technical experience among the nine members, did not sign the report and issued a dissenting report.

Tabuena said they were tasked by President Arroyo to “determine facts based on accurate, reliable scientific data, in an objective and impartial manner” and that the final recommendations of the Bastes team “may have fallen short of this standard.”

The government expects the mining industry to generate $5 billion to $7 billion annually in foreign exchange as well as create a quarter of a million jobs over the next six years.

Mining industry leaders have warned that a total ban will send the wrong signal to potential investors hoping to cash in on the country’s $1 trillion mineral wealth.

Malacañang has assured multinational mining firms that President Arroyo remains committed to the full implementation of the 1995 Mining Law.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo will not seek the revision of the mining law, which grants foreign companies the right to operate large-scale mining operations but will promote sustainable mining practices that will also protect the environment.

The President has urged foreign mining firms to spend at least 3 to 5 percent of direct mining and milling costs the government’s environmental programs annually and to devote at least 10 percent of their capital expenditures to fund environmental projects.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics01_june09_2006

So that to me says that the mine was closed on no scientific grounds whatsoever.....? How can the filipino government justify it without evidence except their conscience??????????