InterAksyon.com means BUSINESS
MANILA - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has suspended the operations of Shenzou Mining Group Corp. for causing extensive siltation in the coastal areas of Claver, Surigao del Norte.
In an order dated July 18, the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau ordered Shenzou, the operator of Claver Mineral Development Corp., to immediately stop all mining operations after failing to adequately address the siltation incidents in its concession area covering some 434 hectares.
An MGB team found that Shenzou aggravated the situation through the construction of a settling pond in the sea. A settling pond is a structure where silt-laden water is impounded temporarily so that the silt materials can settle down, after which water is allowed to overflow silt-free.
MGB earlier wrote to Shenzou, requiring it to explain why its operation in the area should not be suspended. In 2011, Shenzou shipped out a total of 1,994,916.64 tons of nickel ore to China valued at P1.09 billion.
Besides Shenzou, MGB warned five other mining companies operating in the area about similar siltation incidents. The five are Adnama Mining Resources Inc., Platinum Group Metals Corp., C.T.P. Construction and Mining Corp., Taganito Mining Corp. and Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp.
These companies were required to fully address the problem by undertaking appropriate remediation measures for 60 days, subject to validation by an MGB team, which also includes representatives of the Environmental Management Bureau, University of the Philippines-National Institute of Geological Sciences, UP-Marine Science Institute and Bureau of Soils and Water Management.
InterAksyon.com means BUSINESS
BUSINESS NEWS
