denr sets technical forum on rapu rapu

DENR sets technical forum on Rapu-rapu
Publishing date: May. 30, 2006 (1:06 PM) | Printer-friendly page | Archives


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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is set to conduct a technical forum on the mining operations of Lafayette tomorrow (May 31) at the University of the Philippines’ National Institute of Geological Sciences in Quezon City.


Environment Secretary Angelo T. Reyes said the forum would serve as a venue for serious technical and scientific assessment of the mining operations of Lafayette by experts, particularly on the issues of acid mine drainage, tailings dam integrity and safety and other related issues.

The forum will likewise provide an opportunity for the mining company to present its current mining and mineral processing operations, particularly the environmental protection and mitigation structures and measures it has undertaken since the two tailings spill incidents last year.

Reyes said, “the technical information and recommendations that will be generated from this technical forum of experts will be serve as additional inputs to the department’s decision on the resolution of the issues and concerns regarding Lafayette.”

Invited as panel reactors and participants are recognized experts from the academe, professional organizations, industry representatives, and other stakeholders.

Among those invited are Dr. Carlos Primo David of UP NIGS; Dr. Arthur Saldivar-Sali of Geotechnica; Dr. Gerandrieline Peralta, chairman of the Environmental Engineering Program of UP Diliman; Dr. Graciano Yumul, undersecretary for Research and Develoment of the Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Guillermo Balco, undersecretary of the Department of Energy; Marcelon Bolano, dam expert from the Chamber of Mines; Gil Cardiel, dean of the School of Earth Sciences of the Mapua Institute of Technology; Dr. Emmanuel Ramos of the Manila Observatory, among others.

Also expected to participate are representatives from other organizations such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the UP Marine Science Institute, INECAR of Naga City, Miriam Peace, EarthDay, Philippine Mine Safety and Health Association, Society of Metallurgical Engineers, Geological Society of the Philippines, among others.