MGB lets Apex reopen Maco mine after tailings spill

The government has cleared Apex Mining Co. to re-start its operations after reporting a tailings spill last month at its Maco gold-silver mine in Compostela Valley.

 

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Friday, Apex said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has approved the miner's request to lift the temporary suspension in the aftermath of a tailings spill at its Maco gold-silver mine last Jan. 15.

 

Apex said "… the company has determined the cause of the spills and has mitigated the problem and is undertaking engineering measures to prevent recurrence of the same."

 

MGB director Leo Jasareno told GMA News Online the cue for Apex is the clearance from the Mines Bureau.

 

"The immediate effect of the clearance is the lifting of suspension and once received, they can start operations," he said.

 

Lifting the suspension was also subject to the filing of a long term plan to address the matter, Apex said.

 

MGB required the miner to allow MGB-Region XI to monitor the mining operations particularly involvimg the containment of the tailings spill.

 

"Apex will be given a deadline to comply with the requirements," Jasareno said.

 

Last month, Apex reported a leak occurred at around 7 a.m. on Jan. 15, spilling mine waste from Maco's diversion pipe in Lumanggang Creek. The spill was contained by technical staff around 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the same day of the incident.

 

The Maco mine produces around 850 tons of ore per day. – VS, GMA News