Bishop reiterates opposition to mining operations in Albay

MANILA, Philippines - A senior Catholic bishop based in the Bicol region reiterated his stance against mining operations, especially in Albay province. Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes voiced opposition particularly to the resumption of mining operations by Australia-based Lafayette Philippines Inc (LPI) in Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay province. "No. I repeat our position that (mining in) Rapu-rapu should not be opened because it has no benefit to the community," Bastes said in a statement posted Sunday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Web site (www.cbcpnews.com). Bastes said the mining company brought more environmental destruction than economic benefits to Rapu-Rapu. He said the "catastrophic havoc" became very evident on the island after years of operations by LPI. Also, he claimed majority of people, not only in Rapu-Rapu but in the entire Bicol region as well, were against mining. Bastes said the government "is being imprudent again" for allowing the said mining firm to operate despite its bad track record. "It's not wise for the government to allow them," he said. The religious leader said he already warned Environment Secretary Jose Atienza Jr of the "terrible things" that were about to happen for allowing the LPI to operate again. "I will blame him for that. That's what I told him," he said. The LPI pulled out its copper and zinc mining operation last March over environmental issues. Bastes claimed the mining firm got "bankrupt" after its investors backed off due to public clamor against the LPI. "They (LPI) have no more investors. They can't even pay their personnel anymore. It's no longer financially viable," he added. Bastes said mining in Rapu-rapu was supposed to be the government's "flagship" project in its revitalized mining industry program but it turned out to be a "fiasco." He also said the Lafayette still had over P130 million balance of taxes payable to the government. "The government should impose total closure of the mining there. It has ruined not only the environment but also our economy," he said. Under new management, LPI will resume in its controversial polymetallic mining site this month. The company gave an assurance that the repeat of a toxic tailings spill would avoided so that its operations won't be jeopardized. The operations will be under the Malaysia Smelting Corp. Berhad (MSC), an industrial firm that has acquired 30 per cent share in the Australian-owned mining venture. MSC director Dr. Mohammed Ajib Anuar said the new operations would be targeting an output of 50,000 ounces of gold, 600,000 ounces of silver, 14,000 tons of zinc and 10,000 tons of copper per year that would be marketed in China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and other international markets. - GMANews.TV