Exploration

The beginning of any mining project begins with the exploration stage. It's where the magic happens.
Companies enlist geologists and others to prospect remote areas in search of mineral deposits
Probing for minerals (exploration) is the first step in the mine cycle. In the beginning stage of exploration,
large areas of land are evaluated by airborne surveys or geological surveys of the Earth’s surface. After
review of the data found, specific areas are targeted for more in depth studies of the ground. Involved
studies maybe land clearing and mineral sampling by prospectors and geologists. If valuable mineral
possibilities are anticipated a ‘claim’ is staked, which is often then sold to a larger mining company for
further evaluation and exploration.

Development
Mine growth starts with advanced exploration and the evaluation, by geologists, mining engineers and
metallurgists, of the mine’s potential. This stage involves very detailed drilling and the subtraction of large
samples. This phase usually requires the use of heavy equipment and the construction of access roads.
Processing tests are done to assess mineral quality and quantity. Financial and minerals market studies
are carried out to conclude the mine’s economic potential. Environmental assessments are undertaken
and ‘pre-feasibility’ studies completed. The final step in the Evaluation phase is a decision on whether or
not a mining company will go ahead with full scale mine development.

Utilization
Mine operation is the third phase of the Mine Cycle and involves the enrolment, hiring and training of a
wide range of personnel. Marketing and sales activities are assumed and include client establishment and
servicing. At the mine itself, production involves the extraction of ore, separation of minerals, and removal
of waste and shipment of ore/minerals. If a mine is to expand during its lifetime, more sampling, drilling,
planning, and mapping is are required.

Rehabilitation
And finally the closure of a mine is a multi-stage process.

First the shut-down & decommissioning which involves:

the removal of equipment,

the dismantling of facilities,
and the safe closure of all mine workings.
Then the reclamation involving earth work and site restoration; including re-vegetation of waste rock
disposal areas.

The final stage of mine closure is monitoring, which includes environmental testing and structural
monitoring.

*********************
For Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, the closure and suspension are necessary to protect the
environment and to promote social justice in the affected areas.

Without passing judgment on the propriety of Lopez’s orders, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III
expressed concern about the adverse effects of her action on the 1.2 million people who depend on the
mines for their livelihood.

The two sides of the issue have strong proponents inside the Cabinet. Lopez has in her corner “leftists”
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo who have made no
secret their opposition to mining operations.

On the other side of the fence are the economic managers—Dominquez and Socioeconomic Planning
Secretary Ernesto Pernia—who, understandably, are apprehensive that the closure of the mines would
reduce the revenue flow from the mining companies and result in the loss of jobs.
President Duterte will make the final executive call on this issue. He has to balance the interests of
environmental protection and social justice, on the one hand, and the financial requirements of the
government and welfare of the workers who will be displaced by the closure, on the other.

Marcopper Mining Corp. extracted copper on Marinduque Island from 1969 until March 1996. The
company is co-owned and managed by Placer Dome. The problem began when Marcopper disposed of
its waste on land, dumping its mine tailings in the abandoned Tapian pit. While the company plugged
leaks in the pit, the pit ultimately collapsed, causing one of the largest mining disasters in the Philippines.
The release of toxic mine waste resulted in environmental issues and health concerns for the people of
Marinduque, specially those who live along Boac River.

An on-going concern

Up until now, as reported in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (January 25, 2017), the Mines and Geosciences
Bureau detects leaks in one of the abandoned dams of Marcopper, raising anew public concerns over the
decades-old mining issue in Marinduque.

The Philippine Mining Act of 1995, also known as the Republic Act No. 7942, is the governing law that
regulates mineral resources development in the country. One of the primary objectives of this act is to
revitalize the ailing Philippine mining industry by providing fiscal reforms and incentives and maintaining
the viable inventory of minerals to sustain the industry. Responsible for implementing this act is the
government agency Mines and Geosciences Bureau, which is under the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources.

The case looked into the response of the Philippine government toward recovery measures for the
community and the environment following the mining incident and after Marcopper and Barrick closed
down all mines and ceased its 30-year operation of extracting copper in the country. And the question is:
how can the Philippine government prevent environmental tragedies like the Marcopper mining disaster
from recurring while encouraging capital investments in the country?

Always the underdog

Marcopper case is an issue on environment and public health wherein the general public is always the
underdog. The case presented a clear existence of violation yet after decades was not yet resolved nor
given priority on how to avoid such incident in the future.

The government that should have been representing its people seems to neglect its responsibility on
covering the welfare of its territory and the populaces; corruption appears rampant and personal agenda
took precedence over national interest. The Philippine Mining act remain as it is, giving way on taking
advantage on the weakness on most of the provisions.