Landslide happened outside mine site —Apex Mining

Apex Mining Co. Inc., the company that employs the victims of a recent landslide in Davao de Oro, said Wednesday that the tragedy —which so far claimed six lives and injured 31— occurred outside its operations’ premises.

“The place where the slide happened is outside the mine operations area of Apex Mining,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, a landslide hit a garage of a bus company, barangay hall, and residential areas in Zone 1 Barangay Masara in Maco town.

The affected area was near a mining site where employees were working in three shifts for its 24-hour operation. Some workers were about to go home when the landslide occurred.

Likewise, Apex Mining said the area is used as a vehicle terminal for buses and jeepneys servicing the employees, its service providers, and members of the community.

“Just before the landslide, there were four 60-seater buses and one 36-person-capacity jeep waiting for the outgoing employees. One bus had left for Mawab while the rest were still waiting when the landslide occurred, its debris covering the terminal,” the company said.

Following the landslide, Apex Mining said it is on limited operations “because it is focusing on fully supporting the rescue operations led by the provincial government of Davao de Oro."

“As of 11:30 a.m., 07 Feb, 62 Apex Mining employees have been accounted for and considered safe. Meanwhile, Apex Mining continues to trace the whereabouts of 45 other employees,” the company said.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said more residents were feared buried aside from around 30 passengers of two buses that were initially reported.—LDF, GMA Integrated News