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Siltation from mine operations in steep Rapu Rapu island threatens to smother vital coral habitats in the surrounding waters.
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What's at stake
The pristine waters of Rapu Rapu are home to coral reefs, mangrove forests on the shoreline, rich sea grass beds and a high amount of biodiversity. Local species include five of the world's seven known marine turtles, purple herons, dolphins and whale sharks - the world's largest fish.
Vegetation and fishkills immediately followed the spills, as well as contamination of local rivers and creeks. Municipal fishermen report they now have to work longer hours and travel farther to catch the fish they need. In addition to toxic contamination, simple siltation threatens to smother vital coral habitats with dirt runoff from the mine.
Consequences
The Philippine government fined Lafayette for the spills, and suspended operation of its processing plant. However, the mine itself continued to operate.
The president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, instituted a fact-finding commission to investigate the mine spills. On May 19th, 2006 the commission returned its recommendation: Cancel the license of Lafayette in Rapu Rapu and put a moratorium on all mining activities in the island.
This finding reflects the reality that Rapu Rapu is located in the country's typhoon belt and sits on a fault line - making it a high-risk area for mining. Furthermore, Lafayette showed negligence by ramping up operations "too fast too soon" (their words) and failing to take weather conditions into account in the design of their facility.
What's next
A clear-cut case of corporate irresponsibility, a clear recommendation from a presidential commission and opposition to the mine from local communities. So that should be the end of it, right?
Not so fast. Lafayette, an Australian company, is the first (and to date biggest) firm to take advantage of new policies designed to increase foreign investment in the Philippine mining industry. So the government is dragging its feet - with some people saying that closing the mine would send the wrong message. But we think that closing the mine sends exactly the right message. The long-term viability of the environment and health of local communities is far more valuable than the six or seven years of profitability expected from the mine.
Meanwhile, Lafayette and another mining company (Miracle Mile Mining Corp.) between them have applied for explore to a total of 4,486 hectares (11,085 acres) for minerals... that's 80 percent of the island.
The pristine waters of Rapu Rapu are home to coral reefs, mangrove forests on the shoreline, rich sea grass beds and a high amount of biodiversity. Local species include five of the world's seven known marine turtles, purple herons, dolphins and whale sharks - the world's largest fish.
Vegetation and fishkills immediately followed the spills, as well as contamination of local rivers and creeks. Municipal fishermen report they now have to work longer hours and travel farther to catch the fish they need. In addition to toxic contamination, simple siltation threatens to smother vital coral habitats with dirt runoff from the mine.
Consequences
The Philippine government fined Lafayette for the spills, and suspended operation of its processing plant. However, the mine itself continued to operate.
The president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, instituted a fact-finding commission to investigate the mine spills. On May 19th, 2006 the commission returned its recommendation: Cancel the license of Lafayette in Rapu Rapu and put a moratorium on all mining activities in the island.
This finding reflects the reality that Rapu Rapu is located in the country's typhoon belt and sits on a fault line - making it a high-risk area for mining. Furthermore, Lafayette showed negligence by ramping up operations "too fast too soon" (their words) and failing to take weather conditions into account in the design of their facility.
What's next
A clear-cut case of corporate irresponsibility, a clear recommendation from a presidential commission and opposition to the mine from local communities. So that should be the end of it, right?
Not so fast. Lafayette, an Australian company, is the first (and to date biggest) firm to take advantage of new policies designed to increase foreign investment in the Philippine mining industry. So the government is dragging its feet - with some people saying that closing the mine would send the wrong message. But we think that closing the mine sends exactly the right message. The long-term viability of the environment and health of local communities is far more valuable than the six or seven years of profitability expected from the mine.
Meanwhile, Lafayette and another mining company (Miracle Mile Mining Corp.) between them have applied for explore to a total of 4,486 hectares (11,085 acres) for minerals... that's 80 percent of the island.
Read more on the Greenpeace Southeast Asia webiste.
Take Action (Greenpeace Philippines)
