PMEA Blog

LAFAYETTE Philippines Inc., considered an environmental test case amid resurgent foreign investor interest in Philippine mining, is expected to resume commercial operation of its Rapu Rapu poly-metal mine this month, having so far passed environmental standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, an official said.

An independent team of experts led by Dr. Carlos Primo David of the University of the Philippines and Marcelo Bolanos of the Chamber of Mines inspected the mine in Albay province, southeast of Manila, and so far has found the integrity and design of Lafayette’s facility “acceptable,” said Horace Ramos, director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

The independent team has made additional recommendations to improve further the critical mine facilities, including the acid mine drainage dam, Ramos said.

The Lafayette operation on Rapu Rapu Island, one of 24 projects promoted by the government to revive the once-mighty mining sector, was suspended after cyanide spills were traced to its acid drainage dam. The company paid a fine of P10.4 million ($206,000) in June to compensate for the spills.

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