denr sets technical forum on rapu rapu , page-35

re: not that i dont think my grandmother I think you will find Mr Widdup did put his money in after the problems occured.Depends where on the time line you look at it.ABN Amro research is quite straight forward looking at forecast production at their forecasted metal prices.Nothing done with mirrors and nothing outlandish.Look at the following article highlights the major problems,politics and religion.Bastes admits: Report based on logic, not science
Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon admitted the other day that the commission he headed relied not on scientific studies but on “philosophical” thinking, probabilities, and conscience when it blamed Lafayette for mercury contamination of the waters of Albay and Sorsogon.

At a press conference in Sorsogon, he added: “Our studies were not scientific like those of the experts (from University of the Philippines and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources). We focus on the historical background and on our personal knowledge but we come up with scientific findings.”

Pressed to explain, he said: “We are endowed with knowledge by our Creator. Our conscience dictates and the historical background could assure us of our findings. We follow our conscience that’s why when we decide, we are sure we will not falter.”

Before, he said: “There was no mercury in Albay Gulf. But after the toxic spill (of Lafayette), it was found that there was mercury now.”

Later in the briefing, he admitted that the mercury was “very little” but if “you think philosophically... there is a high probability” that Lafayette was to blame for the mercury contamination that scientists, following at least seven independent studies, now all agree to be hoax.

He said the finding was “not absolute certainty” but this will come after studies have been made.

The bishop’s admission confirmed the position of the company that there was no contamination at all and its findings and methodology were flawed and empty of science.

Lafayette said it could not have caused one across the sea (Rapu Rapu is in Albay, facing Sorsogon) because it does not use mercury. Even Rapu Rapu island where its project is located has no mercury problem at all, it added.

A member of the commission, Greg Tabuena, did not sign the commission report and issued his own dissenting report. Tabuena has the most mining-related technical experience among the nine members.

He said the commission was supposed to “determine facts based on accurate, reliable scientific data, in an objective and impartial manner... The commission... may have fallen short of this standard.”

On the mercury issue, which the Bastes report said resulted also in a fish kill, Tabuena said he could not recall any testimony that there was a fish kill in Sorsogon.

And if there was none as well in “ground zero,” Rapu Rapu island, it is “confounding” for the report to blame the company assuming there indeed was a fish kill in Sorsogon, he said.

The National Bureau of Investigation is now investigating the matter and trying to find out who started the hoax.