The 1996 Marcopper mining disaster

Anne Jellica D.S. Tomas

BSED ll

Baliuag University
 Abstract

This paper includes my analysis about the Marcopper mining disaster. It was happen in
Marinduque part of Mimaropa region on March 24, 1996. It is one of the most tragedic disaster in the
history of mining in the world. This tragedy led to a drastic change in the country’s mining policy. It is
said that the drainage tunnels of Marcopper Mining Corporation open pit ruptured and spilled million of
tons of mine waste that smothered the Boac River in Marinduque, inundating villages and killing marine
life. This paper will identify the risk and the hazardous symbol of the mining disaster. We will also
examine the involvements of the residents, government and businessman. Also I analyze some of the risk
brought by the disaster to human life and to the environment. You will see on this paper how the
government take an action to this tragedy and if there’s any action plan from Marcopper Mining
Corporation’s.
 The 1996 Marcopper mining disaster

Marcopper Mining Corporation, which was then co-owned by Canadian firm Placer Dome,
started its copper mining operations in Marinduque island in the late 60’s. Antonio La Vina Environment
undersecretary at the time said the company had already been dumping mine tailings into bodies of water.
This became an issue with residents, as they were seeing the damage it brought to their area. Despite this
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) renewed the company’s mining permit,
on condition that Marcopper stops throwing mine tailings into the river.

In one of the videos that I watched they described the mining waste that flows into river like lava.
The three municipalities that are affected are Mogbog, Boac and Santa Cruz. Its not simply a mud but a
waste from processed mines came from the ruined structure of Marcopper. 1.6 million cubic meter of
mine tailings spilled in the river. There are traces of copper, chromium, led and other heavy metals.

In 2012, the team of Ted Failon Ngayon went to Marinduque to check the current situation of the
affected place. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) it will be
difficult to recover from the disaster. Engineer Leo Jasareno said that 1 billion pesos is not enough for the
rehabilitation. Last March 2019, they went back again to Marinduque and they still able to see the effect
of the tragedy. One of the hazard symbol that I saw was the toxic heavy metal that spilled that cause skin
disease to the residents and later they discovered that it is cancerous. According to one of the victims back
in 2011 a group of toxicology came in their community and told her that the cause of her skin disease was
because of high number of heavy metal. In 2019, the health municipal said that continous increasing of
number of residents suffering from skin disease is due to toxic exposure.

In 1975 to 1991 this mining company started to throw minig tailings in Kalangkang bay area,
According to DR. Tito Rejano the long term effect was many of their patient said that they look pail,
anemic and they suffering from skin rashes and some even died. There was a fisherman that Ted Failon
was able to talked with who got cut his leg because of skin disease and suddenly died. Besides of health
risk, the occupation and the natural resources of Marinduque are also affected. One of the residents told
that before that disaster happens they can even catch fishes and shrimp in the river. More than 3 to 4
hectares of rice fields are damaged back then. Even many years have passed they are still worried that the
water from the irrigations are contaminated in some of the remaining rice fields. Congressman Allan
Velasco said that the water is getting better but still it cannot surpass the standard of clean water.

The congress allegedly ask for the help to DENR Secretary Simatu that was 2017 but its already
2019 and nothing has happened and even the Marcopper Mining Company has no action. According to
Beth Manggol they already filed many cases in Regional Trial Court in Marinduque. In Boac they already
filed an criminal act against top management of the mining company in municipal trial court but until
now it is still pending. There is also negotiation between the victims and the company that the company
will give 100 thousand each to all the victims but unfortunately until now nobody among all the victims
recieves any single peso. When the Placer Dome Incorporation left, another canadian company came and
bought the Placer Dome and file case in Nevada but because of wrong venue the case was dismissed
whats happening now is the provincial government looking for a lawyer that will represent the province
and file the case properly at the right venue which is Canada. According to Congressman Allan Velasco
he will not stop until Marinduque declare as mining free zone by making a law.
 I also look for any Risk Management Plan back then. I found this article “We Cannot
Wait for Another Disaster to Happen” A Call for Disaster Risk Reduction Policies and Programs in the
Philippines. It is the aftermath of typhoon Frank. In the table there I saw the Tabique, Boac Marinduque
where the tragedy happened it is stated there the challenges to the community brought by the hazard: lack
of alternatives livelihood in the community and the percieve cause of vulnerability: land monopoly; river
contamination due to minespill. So meaning if this plan is only published in 2006 meaning back in 1996
maybe there is no Risk Management Plan or if they have maybe its not that strong and implemented. Also
only in 2010 Republic Act 10121 also known as “An Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management was passed and approved on May 27, 2010 therefore maybe back then there
is no strong regulation about Risk Management Plan.

The government should find alternative livelihood. As governor Allan Velasco said before the
disaster happen people had lot of opportunities, school, recreational, golf course and even electricity.
Many provinces here in the Philippines provides different means of living they not only relying on the
available sources. If the local units are responsible in using the alloted funds it would be easier to provide
alternative livelihood. People in the community could use their available resources, for example making
bags, necklace or something that they could possibly sell. To the government they should focus now on
their plan looking for a lawyer to internalize again the case. A plan should not just only in saying or
planning it should have the action, planning not just for media purposes. I’m able to watch also about the
construction of Agabyon damn that could block whatever materials coming from upstream. If the local
governments will focus on this project the construction of this damn will be a big help in providing
opportunity to the community and could be a help to Maguila-guila damn. I think businessmen should be
aggressive on this situation to help because it could help them to promote a business and helping at the
same time. But if the corruption in the government will continously spread there is no doubt that the risk
brought by this tragedy will remain until the succeeding generation. Government must have strong
alliance to address to the Marcopper Mining Company their stand in this issue.