Environmental Investigation Mission

on the Impacts of Large Scale Mining in Nueva Vizcaya

Results

Nueva Vzcaya November 11, 2014

Outline

• Background

• Methodology

• Results

– Biophysical characterization

– Heavy metal analysis

– Socio-economic impacts

• Conclusion

• Recommendations

Background The two mining operations in two municipalities

with a total area of 17,280.84 hectares.

– The Oceana Gold Philippines, Inc.: Didipio Gold Copper in Kasibu – started

commercial operation in May 2013.

– The FCF Minerals Corporation: Runruno Gold-Molybdenum Project currently at

the construction phase, targets to start

commercial operation before the end of 2014.

Objectives

Evaluate the impacts of the mining operations

to their immediate environment. Specifically,

1. To assess the impacts of the two

mining operations on the biological,

chemical and physical aspects of the

riverine ecosystem

2. To correlate the impacts of the mining

operations on the lives and livelihood of

the communities affected

Research Design

Selection of Sampling Site

(Community Mapping)

Biological Parameters

Sensitivity

Biodiversity

Physico-chemical

Parameters

pH

Temperature

Turbidity

Conductivity

Turbidity

Heavy Metals Analysis

Sediment

Water

In Situ

RESULTS

Operation of OceanaGold in Brgy. Didipio, Kasibu

Physico-Chemical Parameters

pH Temp (°C) Conductivity (µS/cm)

Turbidity (NTU)

Velocity (m/s)

Surong (n-im)

7.53 27 9.67 9.43 2.87

Dinaoyan (im)

7.83 24.33 24.67 44.93 4.2

Didipio River (conf)

7.8 27.67 24 658.6 1.43

Standards 6-8 25-31 2-100 1-50 ---

Brgy. Didipio: Water Color 1. Surong Creek:

Non-Impact Area

2. Didipio River: Confluence Area

3. Dinauyan River: Impact Area

1

2

3

Brgy. Didipio: Sediments 1. Surong Creek:

Non-Impact Area

2. Didipio River: Confluence Area

3. Dinauyan River: Impact Area

1

2

3

Biological Parameters: Brgy. Didipio

Parameter

Surong River

(N-Im)

Didipio River

(Confluence)

Dinauyan River

(Im)

Flora/Vegetatio

n

Grasses, ferns, sun

flowers

Shrub, Ferns, Small

trees, grasses, gabi,

large trees farther

from the bank

Shrub, Ferns, No

aquatic plants

visible, grasses

Fauna

Snails, dragonflies,

fishes, butterflies,

moth, small crab

Flies, Butterflies,

Water striders,

spiders, black ants,

flies

Water striders,

Snails, Moth

Heavy Metal Analysis: Sediments

• Cu concentration

is 6.5 – 7.4 times

greater than the

severe-effect level

for benthic

organisms, which

is 110 mg Kg-1 Severe-

effect level

Heavy Metal Analysis: water

• Water from Didipio

river has twice the

copper conc.

permitted for

irrigation use and

• 8x the maximum

level for the survival

of organisms

maximum level for survival of organisms

maximum level for irrigation use

Socioeconomic impacts

• Use of violence and intimidation by the

mining company

– Employment of private securities

– a military detachment is located near

Barangay Dinaoyan.

• Lack of compensation

RESULTS

Construction of FCF Minerals in Brgy. Runruno, Quezon

Physico-Chemical Parameters

pH Temp (°C) Conductivity (µS/cm)

Turbidity (NTU)

Velocity (m/s)

Lintungan River(n-im)

8.0 25 14.33 1.33 2.4

Sulong River (im)

7.9 27.33 30.33 656.7 2.1

Confluence 7.97 26 24.67 218.9 1.93

Standards 6-8 25-31 2-100 1-50 ---

Brgy. Runruno: Water Color 1. Lintungan River:

Non-Impact Area

2. Lintungan-Sulong-Kinalabasa Rivers: Confluence Area

3. Sulong River: Impact Area

1

2

3

Brgy. Runruno: Sediments 1. Lintungan River:

Non-Impact Area

2. Lintungan-Sulong-Kinalabasa Rivers: Confluence Area

3. Sulong River: Impact Area

1

2

3

Biological Parameters: Brgy. Runruno

Parameter

Lintungan River

(N-Im)

Lintungan-Sulong

River

(Confluence)

Sulong River

(Im)

Flora/

Vegetation

Asters, small trees,

large trees, kapok,

coconut, ipil-ipil,

shrubs, grasses,

cyprus, creeping

vines, periphyton

visibles

Vines, small trees,

creeping vines,

grasses, fire trees,

coconut, cypers, no

aquatic plants

No vegetation on the

river and near the

banks. Present

farther from the

banks:gabi, pomelo,

bamboo, palm trees,

creeping vines,

gmelina, mango,

ferns, banana

Fauna

Snails, fishes, flies,

water striders,

dragonflies, snails,

crabs

Water striders, ants,

flies bess,

dragonflies, flies

Water striders, ants,

dragonflies

Heavy Metal Analysis

• Copper, Arsenic and

Lead and Mercury

ave. concentration in

sediment from Sulong

river exceeded the

Severe-effect level

(SEL)

• SEL is an approximate

level at which presence

of certain contaminants

severely affect the

health of benthic

organisms

Heavy Metal Analysis

• Copper in water samples

from the impact site (Sulong

river) exceeded the safe

level of copper for the

survival of benthic

organisms, which is 50 µgL-1

Socioeconomic impacts (a) forced demolitions without prior notice and

with the presence of uniformed and armed men;

(b)some small-scale miners lost their jobs because the mining company ordered them to stop while some are threatened to lose their jobs because of threats of land grabbing and forced demolitions;

(c) some residents were also working for the mining company with 250 per day as their wage; and

Conclusions

1. There is copper contamination in both impact and

confluence for Didipio mining.

2. For Brgy. Runruno, the construction stage already

showed impact of mining brought about by massive

soil disturbance and the removal of vegetation.

Heavy metal such as copper in the impact area has

exceeded those in the non-impact site.

Conclusions

3. There are confirmed adverse impacts to

the civil, economic, social and cultural

rights

Recommendations

1. Immediate suspension of mining operations

2. Comprehensive assessment of the impacts

3. Regular monitoring of the qualities of both

sediment and water samples

Recommendations

4. Review of local and national mining,

environmental, land and other policies

related to the resulting impacts – Clean Water Act

– Pollution Control Law

– Mining Act 1995

5. Capacity-building of local communities

Advocates of Science and

Technology of the People

Address: 127-B Scout Fuentebella St. Brgy. Sacred Heart, Kamuning, Quezon City Telephone: +632 998 4226

E-mail: secretariat@agham.org www.agham.org