BFAR findings of cyanide in Rapu-Rapu most likely from Lafayette mine

November 16, 2007

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Scientists and environmental groups today said that the presence of cyanide in the waters affected by fish kills in Rapu-Rapu island, Albay noted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) could have come from the mining operations of Australian-owned Lafayette Philippines Inc. (LPI) in the island. LPI runs a 180-hectare open-pit copper and zinc mine occupying almost 80 percent of Rapu-Rapu.

The BFAR found traces of cyanide after it gathered water samples in the affected areas on October 30, after fish kills from October 27 to 28 were reported by Rapu-Rapu residents. While the BFAR's Bicol bureau was quoted in media reports as claiming that the cyanide levels found were "tolerable" and "had no effect on marine life", it also clarified that the agency "could not clear" Lafayette of any involvement and would need deeper underwater analysis and advanced tests before it could determine the cause of the fish kills.

"The BFAR's water tests indicating the presence of cyanide in the fish kill areas near the mine leave many questions unresolved. Where did the cyanide come from? Could have the cyanide levels been higher than "tolerable" if the tests were conducted earlier and not two to four days after the reported fish kills? Has a thorough sampling of Lafayette's waste disposal facilities been conducted?," asked Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) National Coordinator Clemente Bautista Jr.

Kalikasan PNE's consultants from the academic and scientific community also raised concerns on the reliability and thoroughness of the BFAR's October 30 water tests.

Ric Saturay, a geologist and University of the Philippines National Institute for Geological Sciences (UP NIGS) faculty member, pointed out gray areas in the BFAR and DENR statements on the Rapu-Rapu fish kills.

"The BFAR's initial findings on the fish kill are unreliable. Cyanide findings in the water are not always conclusive, since it has a high potential to degrade quickly and thus has a very high chance for negative findings. If the cyanide registered tolerable levels on the October 30 sampling, it is possible that the levels could be higher on earlier dates," Saturay said.

According to Kalikasan PNE's Bautista, Rapu-Rapu residents from Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa (SISK), the community organization in the island, reported that fish kills were first observed in Barangays Pagcolbon and Malobago, the villages nearest to the mine site, on October 27 to 28 after heavy rains started hitting the island on October 26. Antonio Casitas, SISK Spokesperson, said that the fish kills eventually reached Barangay Poblacion, 7 to 8 km from these 2 villages, on the 28th of October.

"As signs of fish kills were reported from as early as October 26 and lasted up to October 28, the time lapse between actual fish kills and water sampling by the BFAR on October 30 might have reduced the original cyanide levels in the water," Bautista said.

Saturay also called attention to the BFAR and DENR's failure to identify possible sources of cyanide found in the water samples.

"What are the possible sources of cyanide? The BFAR and DENR did not clarify whether cyanide should be found in the water at all. The probability that cyanide naturally occurs in the area is almost nil, so most likely the cyanide would have to come from outside sources," Saturay said.

"Lafayette should be investigated as a possible source of cyanide found in the fish kill areas," Bautista said, "Remember that Lafayette was found liable for cyanide contamination in 2005. The Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) ruled last year that Lafayette violated the Clean Water Act when it discharged waste water with a high cyanide content into creeks on Oct. 11 and 31 2005, which caused fish kills when the toxic waste hit open seas. The PAB fined RRPI a total of P10.4 million because effluents from the mine site exceeded the acceptable cyanide level," Bautista said.

Engr. Virgilio Perdigon, a professor at Aquinas University in Albay, added that the probe should have included the mine's waste disposal structures.

"What is relevant is the fact that poison is impounded in the site at the mercy of heavy rains. Moreover, the normal management of cyanide (as presented by Ms. Carmelita Borbe Pacis through a powerpoint presentation dated March 22, 2006) consisted of detoxification at the tailings pond, and flow of detoxified liquid to the settling ponds and polishing ponds before the liquid is discharged to the sea. Investigation of the incident should therefore include the detoxification process and the settling and polishing ponds," Perdigon said.

Saturay also noted that other indicators were not explored in the BFAR and DENR tests.

"Cyanide is volatile so that it's not always a good parameter. Other heavy metals should also be measured. A study of benthic (sea bottom dwellers) organisms, which are relatively immobile, should also be conducted to verify the effects of mine waste in the water. Prevailing ocean currents and fish migration routes should also be considered," he enumerated.

Bautista called for an independent, objective and comprehensive probe into the causes of the October 26-28 fish kills.

"The DENR's premature clearance of Lafayette despite the unanswered questions in the BFAR tests shows the government's lack of capability, commitment, and initiative to effectively monitor and assess its pet mining project," Bautista said