The Alyansa Tigil Mina Blog

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006061466761.html
By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has given Australian mining firm Lafayette Philippines, Inc. (LPI) 30 days to conduct a test run to prove that renewing its mining operations in Rapu-Rapu, Albay, will not harm the environment or pose a danger to nearby communities

In a press conference yesterday, Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes said the test run also aims to determine the production efficiency of the LPI in processing copper and zinc as well as the company’s response to emergencies.

The DENR also asked the LPI to pay R10.7 million in fines before it is allowed to conduct a three- stage, 30-day test run after it determined that the mining company was liable for the two mine spills which led to its closure. The amount will be deposited in a government escrow account.

The 30-day test will be open to third-party experts and will determine if LPI will be allowed to resume full operations, said Reyes.

“Before, during, after the test run, certain conditions would have to be met. After the company complies with all these conditions, a final lifting order shall be issued to Lafayette for it to resume full operations. The test run shall be open to the public and third-party experts,” Reyes said.
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http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=79049
By Blanche S. Rivera, Christine Gaylican, Bobby Labalan
Inquirer

AFTER SEVEN months of suspended operations due to the illegal discharge of mine tailings, Australian mining firm Lafayette Mining Ltd. has been allowed to conduct a 30-day test run of its facilities on Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay province.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday lifted temporarily its suspension order to check if the remedial measures put in place by Lafayette would work.
Lafayette would be allowed to start its test-run only after making an escrow deposit of the P10.4-million fine imposed by the Pollution Adjudication Board of the DENR for the firm’s violation of the Clean Water Act following the mine spills on Oct. 11 and 31 last year.

The company had filed a motion for reconsideration in the PAB and refused to pay the fine until the case was resolved. It paid only the P300,000 penalty for violating the conditions of its environmental compliance certificate (ECC). (more…)