Fast tracks rehab plan for damaged areas
xmlns:o=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”xmlns:w=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word”
xmlns:st1=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”
xmlns=”http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40″>
TVI
Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD) has accelerated the
rehabilitation plan for areas within its Canatuan
tenements that were impacted by record rainfall in May and June. These areas
include portions of Lumot Creek at the southwest
portion of the company’s mine facilities, and
the west.
A
task force has already begun preparations for the rehabilitation of
as a direct result of unusual rain events recently that were considerably higher
than any that have been recorded in this remote mountain village in
Construction
activities for the company’s Sulphide Project,
however, have not been hampered by the rains and remain on schedule
src=”Http://www./images/35image002.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1025″>
src=”Http://www./images/35image003.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1026″>
src=”Http://www./images/35image004.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1027″>
In
a letter to Zamboanga del
Norte Provincial Attorney Jes Gal Sarmiento,
Yulo Perez, TVIRD vice president for Philippine
Operations, said Typhoon “Frank”, which struck the
June 20, drew high volume precipitation from the
China Sea
was in the direct path of that severe precipitation.
“The
months of May and June have seen significantly high monthly rainfall measured
at Canatuan (as well as other parts of the
Asia
Canatuan occurred during this period as well.”
He
pointed out that these record rainfall events caused the amount of sediment recently
deposited in Lumot Creek. Rainfall is the primary
component of soil loss and erosion.
src=”Http://www./images/35image005.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1028″>
“Moreover,
the recent resurgence of slash-and-burn farming near the creek has only
worsened soil loss and erosion and, subsequently, sedimentation in the creek,”
Perez stressed.
src=”Http://www./images/35image007.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1029″>
src=”Http://www./images/35image009.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1030″>
src=”Http://www./images/35image011.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1031″>
and bottom photos) after the May-June 2008 rain events. “The highest
24-hour rainfall ever measured at Canatuan occurred
during this period.”
src=”Http://www./images/35image013.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1032″>
While this impact is not related to TVIRD activities, the company will
undertake the repairs on behalf of the Subanon
community and the environment at the soonest possible time. At the background
is the Gossan (gold-silver) tailing impoundment area.
settle the land and crop ownership issues with residents in the area soon so we
can immediately address the landslide problem,” Perez said. “While this impact
(landslide) is not related to TVIRD activities, we will nevertheless undertake
the repairs on behalf of the Subanon community and
the environment at the soonest possible time.
a position both to repair the current impacts, and put long-term stability in
place. The company has allocated funds for this activity from within the
overall budget of the Sulphide Project,” he concluded
in his letter to Sarmiento, who led a tour of
src=”Http://www./images/35image015.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1033″>
src=”Http://www./images/35image017.jpg” v:shapes=”_x0000_i1034″>
preparation activities for the rehabilitation of Lumot
Creek include an information-education-communication drive among residents near
the creek, an environmental impact assessment of the siltation,
and a survey of land and crop owners whose properties may be affected by the
passage of heavy equipment.
Jay Nelson, TVIRD vice president for Environment and Civil Works, restoration
and protection measures are implemented for both the disturbed and non
disturbed areas within the mining operations areas in Canatuan.
and placement of natural abaca netting on the reshaped areas is being done to
reduce erosion and better facilitate the re-vegetation program,” he
explained. “Where soil losses were unavoidable, sediment ponds are
constructed around the perimeter of disturbed areas. Sediment collected
within these ponds is periodically removed and stockpiled for future topsoil
cover and re-vegetation activities. The ponds themselves are constructed
of reinforced earth structures that are flexible and can easily be removed,
relocated and planted to blend within the natural topography and vegetation.”
constructing production and support facilities for the Sulphide
(copper-zinc) phase of its operations, expected to commence in late 2008.
