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.
