The Department of Energy will lift its suspension on the coal mining operations of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. after the company successfully complied with safety requirements.
SMPC stopped coal mining operations last month after receiving an order from the DOE to suspend all mining activities covered by coal operating contract no. 5 based on the results of the investigation on the mudflow incident in Semirara Island, Antique province.
“We inspected… We validated all our recommendations. First and foremost is the safety aspect so we recommended to reorg the safety department to have a consultant also for safety,” Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos said.
The DOE earlier said the suspension would remain in effect until the company complied with several conditions, such as addressing the apparent risk in the Casay Lake area near and adjacent to the operations of the Molave Pit.
The DOE directive was issued in relation to a mudflow incident in Semirara Island, Antique Province on October 2, 2019. An employee of SMPC, the operator of PS27 machinery, was found dead after a three-day search and rescue operation.
The incident occurred in Southwest Tungao, Semirara Island at 1:05 a.m. on Oct. 2 when the equipment operator was swept by the mudslide.
“We asked them to identify the risk areas and then we established mining methodology for that. Of course always in consideration and prioritizing safety of the people working there. We asked them to address the risk areas,” Marcos said.
He said Semirara was able to comply and that DOE was set to issue the resolution for the lifting of the suspension.
“I asked all the technical and legal and significantly, they are able to address the concerns so we are thinking of lifting,” Marcos said.
The DOE earlier asked the company to implement an approved geo-hazard assessment of the Casay Lake area and in all current and proposed mining areas and determine the risks and appropriate mitigating measures to avoid landslides, mudflows, flooding, storm surge, and liquefaction.
