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Carmen Copper Corp. (CCC), an operating mine for Atlas Consolidated Mining Development Corp. based in the city of Toledo in Cebu, said Tuesday that an accident occurred at its mining site, collapsing and killing at least four people.
“The incident is due to the incessant rains in recent months and was exacerbated by Typhoon Vicky that hit parts of the Visayas, including the city of Toledo, on Friday, December 18, 2020,” the company said in a statement.
The company said it suspended all activities in the mining operations area to ensure the safety of its employees and contractors.
The CCC said six more people remain missing after the landslide that occurred around 4:15 pm Monday.
“CCC management is taking all necessary actions to assess and address the general situation,” he said.
Continued rain in the area that has impeded rescue attempts over the risk of further landslides at the site on Monday resumed Tuesday, in hopes of finding the other six miners under mud and rock debris. .
Several miners were rushed to Carmen Copper Hospital Tuesday afternoon following the landslide that occurred at Carmen Pit, the site of operations for CCC’s mine.
The company said it is in close coordination and communication with nearby affected families and will continue to provide necessary support and assistance.
“We humbly ask the general public to be cautious and responsible in distributing information out of respect for affected families. We would like to extend our greatest gratitude to the private groups and the Emergency Response team of the Government of the City of Toledo for providing valuable assistance in our search and rescue operations, ”he said.
“We are also in close coordination and communication with interested government agencies as we continue to take all necessary actions to assess and address the situation.”
Investigation
The Bureau of Mines and Geosciences (MGB) said Tuesday it will investigate the landslide.
MGB director Wilfredo Moncano said that the operation of the mine is temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
According to Moncano, the Toledo copper mine this year passed the independent audit of the Coordinating Council of the Mining Industry.
According to its website, Carmen Copper has an operating agreement with Atlas Mining and has exclusive operating rights over the on-site mineral resources and mineral reserves of the Carmen, Lutopan and Biga mineral deposits or more commonly known as the copper mine. Toledo that covers 1,674 hectares. .
Carmen Copper resumed the Toledo mining operation in September 2007.
“Initial findings indicate that Typhoon Vicky exacerbated the already flooded limestone and shale layer from the previous typhoon that weakens its contact with the intrusive rock base. This is the material that went down to the bottom of the well. A fault line called the Barot fault was also observed in the area of the landslide and may have contributed to the landslide, ”Moncano told reporters via text message.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Chamber of Mines (COMP) described the mining incident as “unfortunate”.
“Atlas is known for its strict adherence to the highest health and safety standards. However, accidents happen in any industry. That is why the Chamber and its members are constantly looking for ways to further improve our health and safety protocols, ”said COMP.
In a text message to the media, Rocky Dimaculangan said proof of this is the House’s adoption of the Toward Sustainable Mining initiative.
“The important thing is that the industry learns lessons from incidents like this to continue improving its protocols and practices. The industry as a whole will certainly absorb the lessons from this incident, ”he said. With VG Cabuag
