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Scientists find Lepanto harsh on environment

BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 25) — Results of three separate studies on the effect of large-scale mining along the Abra River presented during a forum on August 24 at the Saint Luis University (SLU) here, showed that Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company’s (LCMCo) mining activities have adversely affected the Abra River, including plants and people living near it.

The Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers-Jumior (PICHE) in SLU organized the forum.

The said studies conducted by doctors, engineers and professors with the help of some college students from SLU and University of the Philippines-Baguio (UP-Baguio), focused on the downstream effects LCMCo’s mining operations.

LCMCo mineworkers have been on strike for almost three months now.

SLU Chemical Laboratory Officer-in-charge Engineer Josephine Dulay presented her study on the water quality monitoring of almost 20 sites of the Abra River, from Mankayan, Benguet and Santa, Ilocos Sur downstream. She said those samples were taken in October 2004 and February 2005.

Dulay disclosed that water samples taken from LCMCo’s Carbon In-Pulp (CIP) Mill outlet, Tailings Dam spillway and at the Baguyos Bridge (the border between Benguet and Ilocos Sur) contained very high cyanide, chromium and lead. She said that water samples from LCMCo’s mill outlet contained 0.43 mg/L of cyanide, way above the 0.05 mg/L allowed level prescribed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 34 of the Revised Water Usage and Classification/Water Quality Criteria.

Dulay added that water samples from the said sites are also acidic. She disclosed that the same water sample registered a 3.42 pH lower than the allowed 6.5 to 8.5 pH of the same DENR order.

Moreover, Dulay stressed that the dissolved oxygen of the water samples at the same site was lower than the needed level for river bounties to survive. She said that the required dissolved oxygen for plants and fishes to survive is a minimum of 2 mg/L as mentioned in the DENR order but the sample registered a 1.98 mg/L.

Results of the study conducted by UP-Baguio Department of Biology Professor Jocelyn Rafanan and Aldwin Almo on the effects of the water sample to the root growth of onions also known as the Allium Test showed growth inhibition and morphological effects.

Almo explained that the test showed disruption in the chromosomes of the onion roots that were planted on water samples taken from the same sites identified by Dulay. He added that the same effects identified on the onion roots could possibly happen to animals and human beings exposed to the water at the sample sites.

Rafanan said a correlation exists between the results of the chemical testing done by Dulay and the biological testing they conducted. She attributed the effects seen on the onion roots to the presence of cyanide and other chemicals and the low dissolved oxygen content in the water.

Rafanan explained that the Allium test is an established protocol in determining the presence of chemicals and pollutants in soil and water, which may represent environment hazard. She added that it is also the cheapest process.

According to SLU College of Medicine Department of Preventive and Community Medicine Chairperson Dr. Ana Marie Leung, aside from the adverse effect on the river itself and plants thriving along its banks, LCMCo’s mining activities also causes harm on residents living along the river.

Leung said that residents of Paalaban, Paco in Mankayan, Benguet have significantly high levels of cyanide, copper and lead in their blood. In fact, she mentioned that one resident was recorded to have toxic level of cyanide in his blood. These residents are exposed to LCMCo’s mine drainage through inhalation, immersion and non-intentional ingestion.

Leung explained that in a matter of time residents who are exposed to LCMCo’s mine drainage would have toxic cyanide levels in their blood because it accumulates through the years.

The said community is just behind LCMCo’s mill site, where residents inhale, ingest and have physical contact with the mine wastes the company is dumping to the river.

“If we can not ensure the health and safety of the people, we should take concrete actions to address the root cause of the problem,” Leung stressed.

Leung conducted a two-year study on the health profile of three communities adjacent to LCMCo’s mining operations.

Leung’s research dubbed as “Health Profile of Communities Living Near Corporate Mining Operations in Mankayan, Benguet” won the 1st prize in the Department of Health National Research Forum in April 2004. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS

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