http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006071168997.html
By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes yesterday ordered the start of test run operations in Rapu Rapu, Albay for the Australian mining firm Lafayette Philippines Inc. (LPI), a month after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued a temporary lifting order (TLO) to allow the resumption of LPI’s mining operations for the conduct of test run.

In a resolution issued by the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) yesterday, the LPI was allowed to operate its processing facilities for the conduct of test run for a period of 30 days.
The DENR chief said he visited the mining site last weekend to finalize validation of the compliance of LPI.

“Monitoring of the operation is continuous on a 24- hour basis. If there is something wrong, they will call us (monitoring team) up immediately,” Reyes said. “The monitoring team consists of eight to 12 people from the DENR regional office stationed in the mine site who would particularly monitor the mining company’s dam integrity, and water pollution control and management,” he added.

The DENR conditions issued last month stated that the LPI operating a P1.4 billion Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project in Albay could begin with the test-run operations after they paying its P10.4 million fine last June 20.

LPI said it have complied with majority of the 15 conditions set by the DENR prior to its 30-day test run.

The suspension of LPI’s operations was ordered by former DENR Secretary Michael Defensor in November 2005 after two mine spills were reported last Oct. 11 and 31 of the same year.
Reyes earlier said a test run is the best option to take after considering the facts and findings by the Rapu-Rapu Fact-Finding Commission’s (RFFC) report, the dissenting Report of Commissioner Gregorio Tabuena, independent studies by the University of the Philippines-National Science Research Institute, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and opinions of technical experts Dr. Aloysius Baes, Dr. Carlito Barril, Dr. Carlos David, Engr. Emilio Morales, Dr. Myrna Rodriguez, Dr. Arthur Saldivar-Sali, and Dr. Graciano Yumul.

Reyes said the test run would consist of three stages. “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,” he said.

He added that after the company complies with all these conditions, a final lifting order shall be issued to Lafayette for the resumption of its operations.

The DENR chief explained that in the first stage, clean water would be allowed to circulate into the system to check for leaks in the pipe network and efficiency of the pumps at the detoxification circuit and events pond.

On the second stage, non-ore rocks from the open pit will be added to the wastewater and circulated into the system to test the electro-mechanical systems. Lime and acid neutralizing agents would be added to address acid that may be released by the rocks.
Lastly, third stage would consist of the actual production but only up to 30 percent of rated capacity to stimulate normal operations.