Benguet Corp. assured the Environmental Management Bureau, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the local community that the minor and intermittent mine tailings leak in Antamok was put under control.
The mine tailings leak was discovered following regular inspection conducted by the company after the heavy rains brought by super typhoon Lawin.
The leak occurred in the drain tunnel of the Antamok underground mine, which has not been operated by the company since 1989.
Benguet Corp. said upon investigation, initial findings showed the mine tailings came from the Antamok tailings impoundment area, which may have entered the drain tunnel through a breach caused by the intense rains.
“No further leaks have been observed to date. Preliminary estimates showed only a negligible 50,000 metric tons of tailings material leaked into Liang River which is substantially less compared to previous incidents involving other mines,” the company said.
Benguet Corp. said there were no reports of damage to property or injury to persons directly attributable to the leak.
“Claims of incidental damage due to siltation, if any, are being verified. Discussions have also been held with the local communities,” it said.
The company said that upon discovery of the mine tailings leak, it mobilized its workforce and equipment to prevent any further outflow and initiated containment and clean-up activities in the immediate area to make sure that the residents in the surrounding communities would not be affected.