published November 20, 2009 in BusinessWorld
PALO, Leyte -- The full rehabilitation of Bagacay Mine in Hinabangan, Samar will be implemented in 2010 after a two-year rapid assessment in the abandoned copper and pyrite excavation site.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Danilo U. Uykieng said proposed rehabilitation activities were presented to local government officials of Hinabangan town and Bagacay village.
Rehabilitation works on the 130-hectare site, abandoned 17 years ago, include reforestation, mitigation of acid drainage, soil stabilization, and putting up structures to stop soil erosion. It will be implemented by various national government agencies. “For the past two years, we’ve been pilot testing what are the mechanism suitable for the rehabilitation,” Mr. Uykieng told reporters.
In previous assessment, the MGB said the government needs about P50 million to fully rehabilitate the abandoned mining site.
“It will take about five to 10 years to implement different components of Bagacay Mine rehabilitation plan,” he added.
The next phase of the study will be done by the Manila office. The initiative will determine the potential mineral deposit of Bagacay Mine.
Last year, about P2.4 million was allotted for MGB activities, where it was able to find trees suited for reforestation and determine how to prevent the flow of acid to the Taft River.
Known as one of the seven abandoned mines placed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under a priority list, Bagacay Mine is said to have destroyed the Taft River in Eastern Samar.
Since 2008, the MGB has done rehabilitation activities such as construction of diversion channels, drainage canals and silt traps.
“We will be using technologies to catch the acid that goes to the river,” he said.
The mine was previously operated by Philippine Pyrite Corp. It is now under the Privatization and Management Office of the Department of Finance. -- Sarwell Q. Meniano
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