Likely collapse of LCMC tailings dam walls spooks Benguet folks

Likely collapse of LCMC tailings dam walls spooks Benguet folks
 
By ALMA B. SINUMLAG
NORTHERN DISPATCH
BANGUED, Abra – Residents of Mankayan, Benguet who attended the Benguet, Abra, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur (BAMPIS) Mining Summit held here expressed fears that the plan of Goldfields Far South East to build additional walls to the tailings dam 5A mean there are more mine tailings to expect on its full operation.

Marcelo Gomgom-o, former miner in Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC) and a resident of the said town, asked during the summit if the activities in the tailings dam specifically of Goldfields’ wall tests are safe. Gomgom-o and the residents had reportedly observed from above the wall of the tailings dam the testing activities being conducted there.

Albert Diego, a resident of Colalo, Mankayan, added that the the present tailings dam cannot handle the mine wastes that would be generated once Goldfields starts full operation — the said dam, he said, has already reached its full capacity and as such, it cannot contain any more waste. But instead of building another dam, Goldfields, a partner of LCMC, is just adding walls to the existing tailings dam..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/01/likely-collapse-of-lcmc-tailings-dam-walls-spooks-benguet-folks/