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Aerial view of the current mine site of Lafayette’s Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project. The total mining interest of the entire project is 4,463 hectares, approximately 79.8 percent of Rapu-Rapu Island

Mineral Policy Institute Rapu-Rapu Backgrounder

The Rapu Rapu Mining Project, majority owned and operated by Australian mining company, Lafayette has been mired in controversy since its conception, and opposed by a variety of local and national actors in the Philippines. This paper seeks to outline the major points of concern in relation to this project.

Greenpeace statement on the illegal detention of an employee conducting environmental water sampling in Rapu Rapu island

Greenpeace Southeast Asia Campaigns Director Von Hernandez said: "Greenpeace condemns the police detention of David Andrade, a Greenpeace employee who was apprehended, illegally detained, illegally searched, and harassed by police while obtaining water samples from Mirikpitik creek in Brgy. Pagcolbon in Rapu Rapu island early yesterday morning."

Fool's Gold: The false economic promises of the Lafayette mining project in Rapu Rapu.

This study was conducted by a research team from RiskAsia Consulting Inc. on commission by Greenpeace Southeast Asia. The study bears the following objectives: 1. To determine the current effects of the mining industry on Rapu Rapu and outlying areas 2. To determine risks, threats and potential impact of the mining industry on Rapu Rapu and outlying areas 3. To identify possible courses of action to protect the environment and livelihoodsof the people of Rapu Rapu and outlying areas in northern Philippines.

Findings and recommendations of the Fact-Finding Commission on the Mining Operations in Rapu-Rapu Island

This is the comprehensive fact-finding report of the Rapu-Rapu Fact- Finding Commission submitted to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

DENR Assessment of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project

The exploitation of a country’s mineral resources can only be justified if it does not irreparably damage the environment and if it benefits the community and the nation as a whole. This is beyond all argument. The mine tailings spills that occurred at Lafayette Philippines Inc.’s polymetallic project site at Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay on October 11 and 31, 2005 must be looked at from this solitary and singular perspective. Accordingly, it is necessary to objectively assess the effects and environmental impact of those spills, determine whether such environmental incidents can be realistically prevented in the future, and then judge if the Rapu-Rapu operation – as designed and implemented – does not pose unreasonable risks of long-term environmental damage. These assessments and determinations must logically lead to the decisions to be made in this specific case, including the corrective actions to be taken and the penalties to be impocompany.

Compelling evidence of toxicity in Rapu Rapu

An inspection conducted today by Greenpeace scientists and government officials showed that toxic pollution from the Lafayette mine would clearly affect the coastal and marine ecosystems of Rapu Rapu Island. Our activists also entered the mine, hanging a banner of their conveyor belt calling for the operation to be shut down.

Mining in Rapu Rapu: A Countdown to Disaster

In the Philippines,Bicol’s immensely beautiful marine environment and its fragile sea creatures face a grave threat: toxic pollution and siltation caused by mining operations in Rapu Rapu Island in Albay Province. Local and national groups who have been opposing the mine are concerned that toxic mine tailings will be released into the sea,and along with it dissolved heavy metals. The island itself is situated along the country’s typhoon belt,increasing the risk of a breach in the tailings dam, toxics pollution,and other mining catastrophes.

Rapu Rapu island mining resumes

The countdown to another oceans disaster has begun. The start of the controlled 30-day test run granted to Australian mining company Lafayette by the Philippine government signalled the resumption of the company's operations in Rapu Rapu. This is expected to be a mere prelude to its ongoing operations, despite cyanide spills, pollution, extractive damage and violations of requirements for the Environmental Compliance Certificate.

Rapu-Rapu island mining

As the Esperanza begins its work in the Mediterranean we take a look ahead at developments in a region the ship will visit later in the tour.

The Lafayette open pit mine area occupies 180 hectares (445 acres) of the Philippine island Rapu Rapu. Early on, environmentalists warned that siltation and pollutants from the mine would pose a risk to the island's coral reefs; locals worried about the their limited supply of drinking water and their livelihoods, which are mostly dependent on the sea. On October 11th and 31st, 2005, cyanide spills proved these fears valid.