Engr. Marcial H. Mateo, Chief, Mine Safety, Environment, and Social Development Division, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), addressed the concerns on the recent discoloration on the Maputi and Pintatagan rivers in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental during an interview on Radyo 5’s Ted Failon and DJ Chacha show last January 21, 2022.

Engr. Mateo clarified that the mining company responsible has admitted accountability in the initial interviews, explaining the discoloration was caused by the unforeseen heavy rain last January 13, in which the siltation pond was unable to contain the flow of laterite. He said that the parties involved, namely Riverbend Consolidated Mining Corporation (mining contractor) and ARC Nickel Resources, Inc. (operator), mainly extract lateritic nickel and iron ore, in the mining area covering 6,600 hectares, while it is stipulated in their Environmental Compliance Certificate that the mining company is allowed to explore and extract lateritic ore at 1000 hectares. Mr. Ted Failon expressed the concerns of the public on the effects of laterite on the marine life and asks Engr. Mateo if he believes this event is reversible. Engr. Mateo states that the mining company operates with the purpose of assessing and rehabilitating the river, explaining that although it is unsure if the river can be returned to its original form. He informed that the mining company is presently focusing on removing silt along the river system. Engr. Mateo explains that MGB Regional Office No. XI has sanctioned the said mining company with three violations due to the event, which prompts Mr. Failon to ask what setback would the company face due to the permanent environmental damage caused by the spill. Engr. Mateo states that possible issuance of a cease and desist order, or the worst case scenario the termination of their mining contract.

Engr. Mateo states that the fate of the mining company will be decided in the upcoming days and although there has been no case of imprisonment for the mining company for violating certain mining laws, MGB will ensure that the mining company will be liable for the river siltation and will monitor the mining company’s rehabilitation activities of the affected areas.

By: Mineral, Economics, Information, and Publication Division

Engr. Marcial H. Mateo, Chief, MGB-MSESDD during his interview with Mr. Ted Failon.