Deceptive, dangerous, deadly landscapes

TAPIAN PIT. The clear, deep green color of the Tapian and San Antonio Pit waters is indicative of high levels of dissolved ferrous iron and copper. Although water is still accumulating in the pit lakes, the USGS in an earlier study feared “that acid ground waters are also migrating down gradient from the pits along fractures and other zones of permeability. These waters are a potential concern if they are migrating far enough away from the mine site to affect ground water quality in domestic wells, or if they discharge via springs into local surface waters.” Photo: tonywells82

CALANCAN BAY. According to a DENR study, the impact of heavy metal contamination to Calancan Bay communities can be better appreciated when one considers that these communities are exposed to this environment every day, as well as consume contaminated fishes daily. There is that real threat of accumulation and magnification of such heavy metals in the human body.

Acid drainage and metal leaching from exposed tailings, such as those in the causeway must be expected. The sulphide mineral nature of the Tapian ore body, which is linked to acid drainage and metal leaching is well documented. Photo: tonywells82

BOAC RIVER. The USGS raised concern on possible leaching of acid and metals from the tailings into the Boac River. It reported that extensive soluble salts observed in the tailings deposit can dissolve quite easily, and could potentially cause an environmentally damaging flush of acid and metals from the tailings into the river during rain storms. Tailings deposits are also a potential source of acid and metals into ground water near the river, and potential danger to food crops and on the marine environment. Photo: tonywells82

MINE DUMP north of the San Antonio pit above the Maguila-guila siltation dam. According to USGS, yellow-to-orange colors on the dump indicate the presence of secondary salts, which show that sulfide-rich rocks are generating acid drainage. The abandoned earth dam no longer fulfills its purpose to trap sediment eroded from the mine site with sediment completely filling the impoundment and water now flowing out the overflow spillway.
Photo: USGS

MOGPOG RIVER and Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). Use of Mogpog River as disposal site for acidic liquid from the mine tailings caused contamination of soil along riverbank and its vegetation. The highly toxic fluids when mixed with groundwater, surface water and soil may have harmful effects on humans, animals and plants. Photo: maharlikafilms

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MOGPOG RICEFIELD. Once a productive ricefield in Nangka, Mogpog, now abandoned after it was covered with silt from Maguila-guila dam and could no longer grow crops. Photo: E.G. Regis