The Alyansa Tigil Mina Blog

No Mining in the Island of Rapu-Rapu: Close Lafayette Mine

(A University Stand)

visit http://www.adnu.edu.ph/institutes/inecar
(for more information, researches and position papers about Rapu-Rapu-Mining)

Mining must not be conducted in Rapu-Rapu for the following reasons: a) Rapu-Rapu is an island ecosystem with steep slope; b) It is characterized by a Type II climate - no dry season with very pronounced wet period from November to January (PAGASA Corona classification); c) It is located along typhoon path; and d) Its massive iron sulfide rocks are capable of generating sulfuric acid. These geophysico-chemical conditions are the reasons why, within only four months of operation, Lafayette mining caused two cyanide spills and fish-kills in October 11 and 31, 2005. Apparently, it also brought about fish-kills in the adjacent province of Sorsogon.

click here to see full position paper

click here to see stock holders

His Excellency
MOST REV. NESTOR C. CARIÑO, D.D.
Bishop of Legazpi
Bishop’s Residence
4500 Legazpi City, Albay

Tels.: (052) 481-2178 Fax: (052) 481-2554
Birth : 09-08-38
Priesthood : 12-31-61
Episcopate : 05-31-78

His Excellency
MOST REV. LUCILO B. QUIAMBAO, D.D.
Auxiliary Bishop of Legazpi
Cathedral Rectory
4500 Legazpi City, Albay

Tels.: (052)480-7192 Fax: (052)480-7192
Birth : 10-30-32
Priesthood : 04-02-60
Episcopate : 04-27-82

His Excellency
MOST REV. LEONARDO Z. LEGASPI, OP, D.D.
Archbishop of Caceres
Archbishop’s Residence 4400 Naga City

Tels.: (054) 473-8583 Fax: (054)473-2800
Birth : 11-25-35
Priesthood : 12-17-60
Episcopate : 08-08-77

His Excellency
MOST REV. JOSE R. ROJAS, JR., DD
Auxiliary Bishop of Caceres
Archbishop’s Residence
4400 Naga City

Tels: (054) 811-2211 Fax: (054) 473-2800
Birth : 08-18-56
Priesthood : 03-29-81
Episcopate : 09-15-05

His Excellency
MOST REV. MANOLO A. DE LOS SANTOS, D.D.
Bishop of Virac
Bishop’s Residence, Fiat Village, Cavinitan
Virac, 4800 Catanduanes

Tels.: (052)811-1408 / 811-1315 Fax: (052)811-1456
Birth : 08-05-47
Priesthood : 05-07-74
Episcopate : 09-12-94

His Excellency
MOST REV. JOEL Z. BAYLON, D.D.
Bishop of Masbate
Bishop’s Residence
Masbate, 5400 Masbate

Telefax: (056)333-2202
Birth : 01-29-54
Priesthood : 10-18-78
Episcopate : 03-25-98

His Excellency
MOST REV. BENJAMIN J. ALMONEDA, D.D.
Bishop of Daet
Bishop’s Residence
Daet, 4600 Camarines Norte

Tels.: (054) 721-1431 / 721-1625 Fax: (054) 440-1474
Birth : 04-11-30
Priesthood : 03-22-58
Episcopate : 01-06-90

His Excellency
MOST REV. ARTURO M. BASTES, SVD, D.D.
Bishop of Sorsogon
Bishop’s Residence
Sorsogon, 4700 Sorsogon

Tels.: (056)211-1289 Fax: (056)211-1842
Birth : 04-01-44
Priesthood : 11-28-70
Episcopate : 08-21-97

His Excellency
MOST REV. PROSPERO N. ARELLANO, D.D.
Bishop Prelate of Libmanan
Bishop’s Residence
Libmanan, 4407 Camarines Sur

Tels.: (054)451-2098 Fax: (054)451-2011
Birth : 01-17-37
Priesthood : 03-30-63
Episcopate : 03-19-90

SECOND BIKOL PRIESTS’ CONGRESS (BPC II)
SIGNATURE DRIVE TO STOP MINING IN RAPU-RAPU

Universidad de Santa Isabel, Naga City, 10 August 2006

We, the Bikol Clergy - Bishops, Priests and Deacons - gathered at the Second Bikol Priests’ Congress (BPC II), wish to convey our strong opposition to the continued presence and operations of Lafayette Philippines, Inc. and its subsidiaries, RRMI and RRPI in Rapu-Rapu, Albay.

Our stand is supported by the findings of the Rapu-Rapu Fact-Finding Commission (RRFFC), headed by Bishop Arturo Bastes, S.V.D., D.D., and solid scientific studies conducted by the Ateneo de Naga University-Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR). Studies done by Dr. Emelina Regis, INECAR Director, find the island dangerously unsuitable for mining due to the following reasons:

“[It is an] island ecosystem with steep slopes; [it has a] Type II climate,[Le.,]there is no dry season, with very pronounced wet period from November to January;[it is] located along the typhoon path; and [it has] massive iron sulphide rocks with acid-generating capacity or Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)…The resulting impacts of AMD include death to living organisms and release of toxic heavy metals that causes loss of productivity of aquatic and terrestrial plants… [and ultimately,] destruction of livelihood in agriculture and fisheries…These impacts will persist for a long time. Heavy rains will continue to erode loosened contaminated soil. Silt and tailings that poison the land and sea will leave behind unproductive land and dead coral reefs… There is no justice in sacrificing the survival of generations of people and other living organisms for the short-term gains of a few.” (INECAR Position Paper regarding mining in Rapu-Rapu: Closure of Lafayette Mine, 15 February 2006) (more…)