Whatever happened to the serious threats of subsidence at Maguila-guila Dam reservoir and the water leakages at Upper Makulapnit tunnel?

Still no intervention by DENR-MGB as promised!

Effects in Mogpog River near Butansapa of metal pollution from Marcopper waste dumps, January 2019. Photo courtesy of Nimpa M. Mangana

Two years ago ito ang sinabi ng Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB):

The vast mine dumps of Marcopper in Maguila-guila and Makulapnit areas greatly contribute to the sedimentation of Mogpog and Boac Rivers, as well as the leaching of heavy metals which can be harmful to human and aquatic biota even in low concentrations. The entire stretch of Maguila-gila river valley including the midstream Mogpog River experience the most extensive effects of increased siltation and heavy metal pollution from Marcopper waste dumps. 

As for Maguila-guila Siltation Dam, MGB-MIMAROPA is now closely monitoring the damaged structures of the facility and the development of subsidence caused by sediment collapse in the reservoir floor of the impounding structure.

These incidents impose serious threats not only to the integrity of the Maguila-guila Dam but also to the entire Mogpog riverine environment.

MGB-MIMAROPA suggested that gabion barriers be constructed at the downstream portion of the Maguila-guila SIltaion Dam near Brgy. Bocboc as a stop-gap measure to control the upsurge of sediments from upstream sources.

MGB-MIMAROPA photo June 2016.

Another structural facility that needs immediate intervention is the Upper Makulapnit by-pass tunnel, which recently showed water leakages from several segments of the sealed tunnel.This condition of Makulapnit by-pass tunnel including other water impounding structures of Marcopper pose the threat of flooding in communities located downstream of the mine site in the event of structural failure.

Water gushing out of an old tunnel, Upper Makulapnit by-pass tunnel, Jan. 2017. Photo: Luna Manrique

Meanwhile, to address the issues on environmental health at the mine area, hydrological survey involving assessment of groundwater condition in both Mogpog and Boac River Basins will be carried out in future monitoring activities.

The EMB-MIMAROPA Region presented the results of its water quality monitoring of the Boac and Mogpog Rivers. The presentation showed that heavy metals such as Lead, Cadmium, and Copper are still present in the waters of Boac and Mogpog Rivers in elevated concentrations, 20 years after Marcopper’s mining operations have stopped.

The UP-PGH presented the results of its rapid assessment of the health of residents living in proximity to the rivers.The results presented showed that several people exhibited skin conditions that may be attributed to the elevated metal concentrations in the river. - Text source: MGB-MIMAROPA 3/17