Water that flows from Canatuan Creek to the Litoban River
(a tributary of the Siocon River) will remain safe for residents of Siocon and
nearby municipalities in Zamboanga del Norte. TVI Resource Development Philippines,
Inc. (TVIRD), which operates a Sulphide (Copper-Zinc) mine in Canatuan, observes
the strictest standards on water quality protection and monitoring set by the
Philippine government in the company’s mining and milling operations.
TVIRD gave this assurance after a number of residents raised
the question as to whether the Canatuan Sulphide mine will produce acid mine
drainage (AMD), a condition that happens when sulphide ore minerals like copper,
zinc and iron are exposed to air and react with water.
Various
procedures have been developed and used around the world to manage the
occurrence of AMD – procedures that TVIRD is implementing in Canatuan.
Photo shows the company’s Environment Department personnel, led
by supervisor Franklin Jardeleza (left), monitoring pH levels at Canatuan
Creek. |
“While all sulphide ore bodies have the potential for
AMD, various procedures have been developed and used around the world to manage
this occurrence,” Jay Nelson, TVIRD Vice President for Environment and
Civil Works, says. “These procedures are precisely what we’re implementing
in Canatuan. We strive to employ the best management practices so that the possibility
of AMD is limited to within our areas of operations.”
According to Nelson, TVIRD’s AMD-mitigating measures
include: (1) placing potentially acid-generating tailings under water in the
Sulphide Dam tailings impoundment; (2) neutralizing the acidity of water by
raising the pH (measure of acidity) levels using lime; (3) protecting potentially
acid-generating wastes from air contact; and, (4) use of wetland vegetation
to assist in removing the metals and in decreasing acidity levels.
Potentially
acid-generating tailings are placed in the TVIRD Canatuan’s Sulphide
Tailings Impoundment Dam (above) as pH levels are constantly monitored
at the filter drain the Dam (below). |
“Water in sediment tanks, ponds, the dam impoundment,
and downstream Canatuan Creek are monitored and measured daily for acidity (pH),”
Fidel Bontao, TVIRD Canatuan Environment Manager, says. “We see to it
the pH levels in these areas remain within water quality standards of 6.5 pH
to 7.5 pH – or neutral levels.”
Ed Nercuit, TVIRD Canatuan Civil Engineering Services Manager
and whose department was in charge of building the Sulphide Tailings Dam, says
TVIRD has prepared well for the possibility of AMD. “We wish to assure
everyone that we are doing everything that is necessary to keep our operations
safe,” he says. “I am a native of Siocon and all I want is to always
keep my hometown and my people safe.”
Nelson adds that plans are underway to further improve AMD
monitoring and management controls in Canatuan.
(Above)
Jardeleza checking pH levels at Cuson Creek. Below (from left), Nercuit,
Nelson, and Bontao spearhead TVIRD’s efforts in managing AMD in
Canatuan. Nercuit, a Siocon native, says all he wants is to keep his hometown
and people safe. |
