ogon bishop backs Lafayette mine test run
SorsFirst posted 06:53am (Mla time) July 20, 2006
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10789
SORSOGON Bishop Emeritus Jesus Varela has expressed support for the test run of Lafayette’s Rapu-Rapu polymetallic project, weeks after another Catholic bishop opposed its reopening
Varela said the test run would show if the corrective measures put in place by the company meet the standards for safe and responsible mining operations.
The bishop, who personally toured the project last week, said in a statement that the Church is not against mining itself but is opposed to irresponsible mining. He added he wanted to find out for himself if the objections of anti-mining groups to Lafayette Philippines Inc.’s continued operations are valid or not.
Anti-mining groups led by Bishop Arturo Bastes, chairman of the nine-man Rapu-Rapu fact-finding commission, had opposed the test run and the reopening of the Lafayette mine, saying it threatened the environment in the area.
“If the risks of mining in Rapu-Rapu can be avoided or substantially mitigated while the benefits can be palpably felt by its affected communities, then the company under its new Filipino management must be given a chance to conduct responsible mining; otherwise it should be closed down,” Varela said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently allowed the test run so the company can test if its corrective measures run properly before it is allowed to resume mining operations.
The three-stage test run first involved the circulation of water into the system to test for leakages. This stage of testing had been completed. On Tuesday, the DENR issued an order confirming that the project had fully complied with all the requirements of the first stage of testing and can proceed to the second stage which involves the processing of non-ore bearing materials to test the electromechanical systems.
Lafayette said it was confident the project will successfully complete the second stage within the allocated period of nine days and in due course receive authorization to proceed with the third stage which would involve the use of ore-bearing materials and chemical reagents.
The new management team under Carlos G. Dominguez took over the project in mid-January following government sanctions for spills involving process water in October.
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article/index.php?ver=1&index=1&story_id=10789
SORSOGON Bishop Emeritus Jesus Varela has expressed support for the test run of Lafayette’s Rapu-Rapu polymetallic project, weeks after another Catholic bishop opposed its reopening
Varela said the test run would show if the corrective measures put in place by the company meet the standards for safe and responsible mining operations.
The bishop, who personally toured the project last week, said in a statement that the Church is not against mining itself but is opposed to irresponsible mining. He added he wanted to find out for himself if the objections of anti-mining groups to Lafayette Philippines Inc.’s continued operations are valid or not.
Anti-mining groups led by Bishop Arturo Bastes, chairman of the nine-man Rapu-Rapu fact-finding commission, had opposed the test run and the reopening of the Lafayette mine, saying it threatened the environment in the area.
“If the risks of mining in Rapu-Rapu can be avoided or substantially mitigated while the benefits can be palpably felt by its affected communities, then the company under its new Filipino management must be given a chance to conduct responsible mining; otherwise it should be closed down,” Varela said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently allowed the test run so the company can test if its corrective measures run properly before it is allowed to resume mining operations.
The three-stage test run first involved the circulation of water into the system to test for leakages. This stage of testing had been completed. On Tuesday, the DENR issued an order confirming that the project had fully complied with all the requirements of the first stage of testing and can proceed to the second stage which involves the processing of non-ore bearing materials to test the electromechanical systems.
Lafayette said it was confident the project will successfully complete the second stage within the allocated period of nine days and in due course receive authorization to proceed with the third stage which would involve the use of ore-bearing materials and chemical reagents.
The new management team under Carlos G. Dominguez took over the project in mid-January following government sanctions for spills involving process water in October.
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