Thoughts regarding the Marcopper Mining Corp.

Tragedy

The Canadian Marcopper Mining Corporation is a copper-mining organization which

marked the worst environmental disaster in the mining history of the Philippines. It became
functional in the island of Marinduque way back 1969. Through the years of its operation, many
residents in the area done many protests and filed several complaints regarding the problems
brought by the corporation, but none of these actions were given attention by the institution as
well as the government. Not until March, 1996 when million tons of mine tailings from the
corporation’s waste containment system, the Tapian Pit, leaked into the Boac river which resulted
to many disastrous environmental impact or tragedy. The tragedy led to national and
international tumults and the negative impacts lasted for many years.

The tragedy might have been avoided if more attention or concern was drawn regarding
the projects and issues of the company. This might have been avoided if the government
conducted serious and more systematic environmental assessments or check-ups on the actions
done by the company. The government also lacked sensitivity regarding the protests and filed
complaints of the residents in Marinduque. If only they were able to react on these recurrent
complaints, then the tragedy might not have happened. Furthermore, the one who had the biggest
contribution in the disaster was the company itself. It was evident that the company already knew
that there was a leakage in their pit a long time before the disaster happened but they did not do
any action or solution regarding that matter. They did not even repair the problem causing the
leakage of the chemicals. They also disregarded the neighboring residents’ grumbles regarding
the problems brought their operation.

To prevent the reoccurrence of this disaster, the mining companies today should be more
socially responsible. They should ensure that they strictly comply with the policies of the
government. They should have a monthly check-up and maintenance of their equipment and
waste containment system. They should be sensitive with the suggestions or complaints of the
people around them. Also, they should be aware and always ready to quickly deal with any
problems that might happen with their operations. Lastly, the most important traits that a
company should have are discipline and adherence; if they maintained these characteristics, then
everything good will follow.