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Philippines - Spill of Copper Mine Waste Situation Report No.2

Countries
Philippines
Sources
UN DHA
Publication date

Ref: DHAGVA - 96/117B
1. UN EXPERT ASSESSMENT MISSION TO THE PHILIPPINES, IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT COPPER MINE WASTE SPILL, HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

2. THE UN MISSION WAS ORGANIZED BY THE JOINT UNEP/DHA ENVIRONMENT UNIT UPON REQUEST OF THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT THROUGH UNDP. THIS MISSION AIMED AT PROVIDING AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF THE INCIDENT. IT WAS COMPOSED OF SIX SPECIALISTS IN VARIOUS FIELDS RELATED TO IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND REHABILITATION OF MINE SPILLAGE, AND LED BY A UNEP OFFICIAL.

3. THE MISSION COMPRISED FIELD VISITS TO THE ACCIDENT SITE, SUPPLEMENTED BY MEETINGS WITH RELEVANT NATIONAL AUTHORITIES. THE UN TEAM CARRIED OUT AN EXPERT EXAMINATION OF THE SITE OF THE SPILL, AND CONDUCTED AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF MINE TAILINGS ON BIOTA, ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN BEINGS. THE ASSESSMENT INCLUDED SAMPLING. A COMPREHENSIVE LABORATORY ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES WILL BE CONDUCTED IN GENEVA.

4. THE UN TEAM WAS WORKING WITH RELEVANT NATIONAL AUTHORITIES IN CARRYING OUT THE MISSION. THE TEAM HAS PRESENTED ITS PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS AT A WRAP-UP MEETING/DEBRIEFING WITH THE GOVERNMENT, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, RELEVANT UN AGENCIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, INCLUDING THE MINING COMPANY CONCERNED.

5. DETAILED END-OF-MISSION REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

TELEPHONE NO. +41-22-917.1234
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY: TEL NO. +41-22-917.2010

DESK OFFICER: MR. V. SAKHAROV, DIRECT TEL NO. +41-22-917.1142
PRESS TO CONTACT: MS. M. MOULIN-ACEVEDO, DIRECT TEL NO.+41-22-917.2856

TELEX 4142442 DHA CH
FAX: +41-22-917.0023
E-MAIL: DHAGVA AT DHA.UNICC.ORG