Current Status of Biological and Social Impacts of

Marcopper Mining Tragedy in Marinduque

Igual, Yna Maria L.; Maglente, Joan L.; Malabana, Don Ashley O.; Rillera, Kirk Thomas A.; Rosario, Francis S.
Biology Student, Department of Biology, College of Science, Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Abstract
Marinduque’s mining-environmental issues are not unique within southeast Pacific and
Southeast Asia. A number of large-scale metal mining operations across the region are gaining
increasing publicity for potentially environmentally damaging practices followed over the last 20-30
years.
The mining-environmental problems on Marinduque, whether a result of systems failures
(Mogpog and Boac Rivers), or designed practices (Calancan Bay, acid-rock drainage at the Marcopper
and CMI mines) present a very useful case study in how similar mining-environmental challenges across
the region can be better assessed, mitigated, remediated, and, hopefully, prevented in the future.
The central question of this paper investigates is what are the current condition of the
environmental and social system of Marinduque after the series of mine tragedies while some
remediation had been executed.

Keywords: Marinduque, mining tragedy, environment, social condition.

INTRODUCTION distributed throughout the year and no clear

boundary between dry and wet seasons.
Marinduque (Figure 1.0) is a small island
province of 952.6 square kilometers lying about 137
nautical miles south of Manila (capital of the
Philippines). It is politically, the center of the
Philippine archipelago (Luzon Datum, 1911). It
composed of six municipalities namely, Boac (the
capital) , Buenavista, Gasan, Mogpog, Sta. Cruz, and
Torrijos – where 218 are not evenly distributed and
“inhabited by 238, 850 citizens” (NSO Marinduque
Office, unpublished). The island province which lies
between the Bondoc Peninsula at the southeastern
part of the Luzon and the island of Mindoro is
surround by four bodies of water; Tayabas Strait on
the southwest, Mongpong Pass on the northeast and
Tayabas Bay on the north. Marinduque lies in the
Sibuyan Sea, somewhat blocking the North Verde
Figure1.0 Map of the Philippines showing the location of
Island Passage going to San Bernardino Strait
Marinduque Island.
(between Sorsogon and Samar, opening into the (Source:http://64.19.142.10/w0.fastmeteo.com/locationm
Pacific Ocean); and a little north of the Verde Island aps/Santa-Cruz-11.10.gif)
Passage going to Sulu Sea and Visayan Sea.
Approximately, 83% of the total area is hills while About 48% of the employment in the
the remaining 17% are built up areas, coastal, province is related to agriculture which serves the
marshy and swamp areas (Physical Profile of biggest sector-employer. Tourism played a
Marinduque, unpublished). It is categorized on Type significant role in the local economy. Marinduque is
III climate having rainfall more or less evenly an Important Biodiversity Area (P.D. No. 463, 1932)
because of its Watershed Forest Reserve. Moreover,
according to marine biologists Dr. Kent Carpenter,
global marine coordinator of the World Conservation
Union and fellow researcher and Dr. Victor Springer,
a curator emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution,
“the heart of the heart of the coral triangle is in the
Philippines and not in Indonesia”. Within the center
of the marine biodiversity, Tubattaha Reef is the
Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor (Figure 1.1)
which includes the coastal waters of Marinduque.
This marine wealth of the island includes “nine kinds
of corals with several species” (Taylor, 2001),
threatened marine animals are also present like
“Olive Ridley Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea, Green
Turtle Chelonia mydas, Hawksbill Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata and Spinner Dolphin Stenella
longirostris” (Fellizar et al., 2002). Additionally, there
are also boasts of fascinating extensive wildlife. The
encountered, observed, and/or reported wildlife in
the area include: 75 species of birds, including 17
Philippine endemics , 4-6 Marinduque endemics:
Amethyst Brown-dove Phapitreron amethystina
imeldae, Blackish Cuckoo-shrike, White-browed
Shama Copsychus luzoniensis shemleyi, Mangrove
Blue Flycatcher Cyornis rufigastra marinduquensis,
Purple-throated Sunbird Nectarinia sperata
marinduquensis and Mountain White-eye Zosterops
montanus gilli (Dickenson, 1991), and two migratory
species, observed mostly in secondary and in
mangrove forests; 18 mammals, four of which are
Philippine endemics and three are commensal to
human habitation: Pygmy Fruit Bat Haplonycteris
fischeri, Southern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat Phloeomys
cumingi, Philippine Pygmy Roundleaf Bat
Hipposideros pygmaeus, Philippine Nectar Bat
Eonycteris robusta and Large Rufous Horseshoe Bat
Rhinolophus rufus; herpetofauna . Of these species,
16 were recorded in secondary forests, 10 in agro-
forests, and four in mangroves; 18 species of
amphibians and reptiles, including five Philippine
endemics and six commensal species: Giant
Philippine Frog Rana magna macrocephala and
Truncate-toed Chorus Frog Kaloula conjuncta. Eleven
species were recorded in secondary forests, 10 in
agro-forests, and six in mangroves. Among the six
amphibians recorded, three were endemic and two
were commensal. Among the 12 reptiles, two are
Philippine endemics and four are commensal.
Moreover, an unknown species of Forest Frog
Platymantis sp. may be present in the vicinity of the
limestone caves based on the calls. This, however,
needs to be further verified. These are new records
for the islands as there are no known records for
amphibians and reptiles from Marinduque Island;
111 species of terrestrial vertebrates, of which 26
are endemic to the Philippines. Six of these
vertebrate species are endemic only to the
Philippines and have a threatened status. Four
reported species in the area are now feared as
extinct: the warty pig Sus philippensis, Philippine
brown deer Cervus mariannus, Rufous Hornbill
Buceros hydrocorax, and Southern Luzon giant cloud
rat Phloeomys cumingi. There is also a population of
the threatened Green Racquet-tail on the island, but
it is believed to be small. These animals were highly
affected by anthropogenic activities like the mining
industry.
Figure 1.1 Verde Island Marine Passage Corridor
(Source:www.marinduquegov.blogspot.com)
Mining was once the backbone of the local
economy there being “80% mineralized” (Nobleza,
2010) until the Marcopper Mining Tragedy. The
Marcopper Mining Company is secured and
guaranteed more than US$ 40 million in loans by
Placer Development Limited from a consortium in
American Banks (Coumans, 2002) and undertook the
operations (Philippine Mining Journal, 1969) with
39.9% shares of stock (Zandee, 1985), “…the
maximum amount of shares that could, until
recently, be legally held by a foreign company in the
Philippines” (UPLC Constitution Project, 1986 [e.]). In
1964, the company started its mining activity in
Tapian porphyry copper type orebody with gold and
silver as by products (Esguarra, 2003). The Tapian
Copper Mining Project originally planned to have
18,000 tons per day milling capacity but they
doubled in since 1974. Until 1991, 779.6 million
kilograms of copper (Cu) metal, 23.0 million
kilograms of gold (Au) and 127.9 of silver (Ag) were
produced where the mines wastes had been
dumped in a 176.78 hectares San Antonio Tailings
Pond (Figure 1.2). But when the Tapian ore-body
depleted, they utilized the then San Antonio Waste
Pond upon the discovery of a bigger deposit of ore-
body beneath the area, three kilometers away from
the Tapian Pit (Figure 1.3). The new project is
envisioned to have a twenty-year operating life with
an estimated yield of 198 million tons of copper ore.
It was also estimated that 354 million tons of waste
rock may be derived from the new mine project
(Magalang, 2005). Meanwhile, San Antonio Waste
Pond being utilized, there was no alternative site for
safe mine tailings disposal. Even without proper risk
assessment plan, the DENR approved the use of the
Tapian Pit as depository of mine tailings. The sixteen-
kilometer pipelines were installed from Mt. Tapian
to Calancan Bay (Figure 1.4) as a temporary waste
dumping site upon the approval of National Pollution
Control Commission (NPCC) considering mine tailings
as merely sediments and even without the consent
of the Calancan Bay villagers. Three hundred million
tons of mine tailing were directly disposed in the
shallow waters of Calancan Bay, “covering corals and
seagrasses and the bottom of the bay with 80 square
kilometers of tailings” (Coumans, 2002). According
to the Rawson Academy of Aquatic Sciences,
submerged mine tailings, and their constituent
metals may affect aquatic life in two ways: indirectly
i.e. by leaching metals into the ambient water,
followed by the assimilation from the aqueous
phase, and directly e.g. in macrofauna, by ingestion
of the tailings and assimilation of metals from the
gut. Toxic metals such as cadmium and copper can
inhibit the olfactory response. This is important
effect because, fish rely on olfaction, or smelling, to
find mates, locate food and return to home streams
(Tierney, 2009). While in the same year, an earthen
dam was built in the headwaters of Mogpog River,
this project is also known as the Maguilaguila Waste
Dump and Siltation Dam Project. This is to
accommodate an estimated of 180 to 200 million
metric tons of waste rock and keep the silt of San
Antonio mine out of the Mogpog River. Two years
later, the Maguila‐Guila Siltation Dam collapsed due
to pressure from heavy siltation at the dam wall and
caused the Mogpog River to be flooded; 2 children
killed; livestock killed; agricultural land
contaminated; downstream communities and
Mogpog Town flooded. Wastes were carried by
floodwaters into different bodies of water i.e.
creeks, rivers and seas causing a massive water
pollution thereby killing saltwater and freshwater
organisms. The ranging water swept away aquatic
organisms and destroyed human habitations along
its path. Farms were also covered by mud (Coumans
and Nettleton, 2000). Agricultural crops and various
household items and merchandise were swept away
by the swiftly moving mud (Asuncion, 2001). The
spillage exacted a major environmental and social
toll on the island (Salazar, 1998) however;
emergency measures were never made (Bulaong,
1996). This resulted to extending acid waters of the
river. Once acid mine drainage begins to form it is
usually impssible to stop and, difficult and costly to
remedy (Jhonson et al., 2005). And lastly, on the
th
23 of March 1996, there was seepage in a badly
sealed tunnel #190 at the base of the Tapian Pit. The
drainage tunnel is six kilometers long which connect
the Tapian Pit with a portal to Makulapnit River.
Another massive tailings spill at the Marcoppper
Mine filled the 26-kilometer-long Boac River with
three to four million tons of heavy metal enriched
and acid generating tailings. As early as four days,
3500 families had been affected (Philippine Star,
March 28, 1996). The waters of Calancan Bay,
Mogpog and Boac Rivers are still occupied by
dissolved cations. Different metals produce different
system when exposed to human. Mine processing
wastes, also known as tailings, can contain as many
as three dozen dangerous chemicals including
arsenic, lead, mercury and processing chemicals such
as petroleum byproducts, acids and cyanide (Moran,
2008). The summary of the health effects of some
metals associated with the mining activities is as
follows.
 Antimony has a number of adverse health
effects. Antimony is a possible human
carcinogen associated with the development of
lung cancer. Breathing air contaminated with
antimony can cause lung diseases, heart
problems, and numerous gastrointestinal
disorders (Cooper, 2009). The Occupational
Safety and Health administration (OSHA) lists
cumulative heart and lung damage as major
health effects of antimony (US DL, 2004).
According to the EPA, these health effects can
include antimony pneumoconiosis (lung
damage), alterations in pulmonary function,
chronic bronchitis, chronic emphysema, pleural
adhesions, increased blood pressure, altered
EKG readings and heart muscle damage (EPA,
2007). Antimony accumulates in organs,
especially in the liver and kidneys and also in the
blood (Gabel, 1997).
 Arsenic cause cancer of the skin, liver, bladder
and lungs. Mines can release arsenic into the air
and breathing arsenic from the air near mines is
known to cause lung cancer. Arsenic exposure
 may cause disorders of the nervous system and
of the circulatory system. Arsenic can cross the
placenta into fetuses and can be transported
from mother to her child in breast milk that
interferes fatal development. Unlike mercury,
the naturally occurring forms of arsenic are the
most toxic (ATSDR, 2007). Chronic arsenic
exposure has been associated with birth defects
and still births (Kwok et al., 2006).
 Cadmium is a known carcinogen; some studies
of workers exposed to cadmium found higher
levels of lung cancer. Cadmium also causes
kidney, lung, and intestinal damage (ATSDR,
2009).Cadmium can pass from mothers to
children through breast feeding. In animals,
cadmium exposure during pregnancy has caused
negative effects on behavior and learning, as Figure 2.1 San Antonio pond in Marinduque in 1989
well as abnormal fetal metabolism, low fetal (Source: Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns,
weight and skeletal deformations. There is some with permission)
evidence that cadmium causes reproductive
problems in humans including low birth weight
and reduced sperm count (EPA, 2007).
 Lead is neurotoxic, which means it destroys
brain and nerve cells. Children exposed to lead
can suffer from abnormal and reduced physical
and mental growth, and may also have lower
intelligence. Lead can be passed from mother to
child during pregnancy and breast feeding.
Developing children are much more sensitive to
lead exposure than adults (ATSDR, 2007).There is
evidence that lead can cause health problems at
much lower levels than previously thought, and
that no level of exposure to lead is safe for
developing fetuses or children (Canfield et al.,
2003).Lead exposure has also been associated
with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Figure 1.3 Tapian ore-body (open pit) in Marinduque in
antisocial behavior (Bellinger, 2008). Lead has 2002
been determined to be a probable human (Photo: Catherine Coumans/Mining Watch Canada)
carcinogen by the Environmental Protection
Agency (US EPA, 2007). There is also evidence
that lead is an endocrine disrupting chemical,
with the potential to alter hormone function
(Wide, 1980; Dearth, 2002).
 Mercury is associated with changes in vision,
deafness, loss of muscle coordination or
tremors, loss of sensation, difficulties with
memory and personality changes. Mercury can
be passed from pregnant mothers to unborn
children and also to babies through breast
feeding. Because they are still developing,
fetuses and children are especially sensitive to
the harmful effects of mercury (ATSDR, 1999).

Figure 1.4 Submarine Tailings Disposal in Calancan Bay in
2005
(Photo: David Sproule/OxfamAUS)
Figure 1.4 Maguilaguila Siltation Dam in Mogpog
(Source: Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns,
with permission)
Figure1.5 Flow of tailings from the Tapian Pit into
Makulapnit which is tributary Boac Rivers on
March 24, 1996
(Source: Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns,
with permission)
On October 11, 2001, the DENR ordered
Placer Dome; its subsidiary Placer Dome Technical
Services (PDTS), and Marcopper to immediately fix
the dangerous dams and structures or face criminal
action should a disaster occur. In December 2001,
without warning or consultation, PDTS closed its
office in Marinduque and its office in Manila and
pulled out of the Philippines leaving behind toxic
mine tailings in the Boac River, the threat of five
dangerously unstable mine structures, and the
incomplete compensation of Marinduqueños
affected by the 1996 spill. They dumped their
wastes, they dumped their shares, and they dumped
their responsibilities (Magalang, 2005). The river
remains contaminated with more than 800,000 tons
of acid-generating and metal leaching material, half
the originally spilled amount (Philippine Mines and
Geosciences Bureau, 2001), thousands of villagers
down river from the spill remain uncompensated
(Resolution No. 2002-05, 2002), and the failed
tunnel that caused the disaster is reported to be
leaking again, despite assurances that it had been
plugged “in perpetuity.”
BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT
For decades of mining operation under the
PD Ltd Marinduque abided one mining-related
calamity after another. Forest covers were
destructed resulting in soil degradation and landslide
that washed away the fertile topsoil. The mountain
complex was blasted with dynamites to conduct
geologic mapping. The original topography of the

area is now a pit with depth of below sea level which
is currently occupied by mine wastes.
Figure 2.0 Modified Map of Marinduque showing the
Tailings Causeways
(Source: Comparison of Dissolved Copper Concentration
Trends in Two Rivers Receiving Arid from an Active Copper
Mine)
Calancan Bay
Figure 2.0a The gangue-covered Bay of Calancan in
Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
(Photo: Tripmondo Travel Magazine)
The tailings leach metals into the bay
13 48 27 24
(USGS, 2000), these metals are Al, Cd, Co, Cr,
29 26 25 28 82 30
Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn (David, 2002)
which are toxic to aquatic biota and that exist as
dissolved cations in the aqueous solution. This
metals lead to formation of ochre in the bottom of
the sea which kills and hinders the growth of corals
(Figure 2.1a) and seagrasses, which serves as the
home of other benthic organisms. With this
smothering ochre, the bottom-dwelling zoological
organisms can no longer feed and reproduce by
covering the gravel where the fish lay their eggs on,
and hence affecting their breeding greatly.
Mangroves are also adversely affected by the mine
wastes as the mangroves are said to be continuously
decreasing in population. The effects of pollution are
still evident with the “…changes either in the density
and abundance of individuals, or in a community
composition and dominance, as sensitive species is
replaced by the tolerant ones” (Clements, 1991;
Luoma, and Cater 1991; Hare 1992). According to
the studies of UPLB, crustaceans like Crasostica
virginica, Coenobitidae sp., Palinuridae sp.,
Panaeidae sp., Portunidae sp. and Varuma literata
are evident to be a tolerant species but are proven
to bioaccumulate metals from its habitat in the
Calanacan area. Placuna placenta and Pictada sp. are
also reportedly to bioaccumulate. Fish are now
increasing in number since the mining incident which
initially is greatly affected although they are not the
best indicator of marine pollution. Fish living in the
proximity of the area have been found with higher
concentrations of toxic metals (Schmitt et al., 2007).
Additionally, the metal contamination affected the
food web causing indirect consequences for the fish
species (Iles, 2004) and so are the humans. The
presence of these elements in seafood leads to the
heavy metal contamination of man through bio-
magnification. While the heavy metals in the water
are already in the background levels i.e. can no
longer be detected by instruments because of their
low level, sediments still have elevated heavy metal
concentrations. Fisher folks are constantly in the
direct contact with the contaminated seawater of
the Calancan Bay. Some villagers are now
incapacitated in their productive ventures (Figure
2.2a). The affected villagers have been undergoing
detoxification treatments in Manila.

Figure 2.1a Dead corals in Calancan Bay
(Source: Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns,
with permission)
Figure 2.2a Mang Wilson, leg amputated due to Arsenic
accumulation with a small cut in his leg while
fishing
(Photo: Ingrid McDonald/OxfamAUS)
The food security and livelihood of the
twelve fishing villages has severely impacted for the
past three decades. Fish catch is still adversely
affected until now. Fishermen travel miles away
from the bay where fishes are available unlike
before the incident, fishes were catch just around
the peripherals of the area. Poor people become
poorer as their productive venture began to perish
because of their health conditions. But some
fisherfolks and their families live with no choice but
to risk themselves eating their catch setting aside
the possibility of getting poisoned with their catch.
Nowadays, children are using the bay with its
recreational venture (Figure 2.3a). They are innocent
of what could happen to them when they disturb the
sediment around the area.
Figure 2.3a Local children swim off the seven kilometer
causeway of mine waste and tailings dumped
in Calancan Bay by the Marcopper mine.
(Photo: David Sproule/OxfamAUS)
Mogpog River monitoring stations established as well as the overall
average (Borja, 2011). Through the years, some
species adapted through the environment as the pH
value and water chemistry normalized. These
species includes Oreochromis nilocyicus, Clarias
batrachus, Channa straiata, Gobiidae sp., Aguillidae
sp., Pila luzonica, Luciocephalinae sp., and Gastropda
sp. in situ. Weeds are also observed in some areas of
the Mogpog River which indicates that the river is
adapting by its own. While some part of the Mogpog
River copes with the environment (e.g. Nangka II and
Bintakay ), some other part still contains high levels
of Lead (e.g. Manggamnan and Mangyan-Mababad)
and Copper (i.e. Bocboc and Paadjao) this is evident
because of the presence of ochre (Figure 2.1b). This
is the reason why some species are unable to live in
these environments. While these organisms cope
with the tragedy, victims like Mang Thomas (Figure
2.2b) had been lag paralyzed since his legs were
incapacitated by the toxic waters of Mogpog River.

Figure 2.0b Mogpog River on 2008

(Photo: Karol Anne M. Ilagan)

Dissolved cations are always present in

elevated levels in the waters of Mogpog River since
the burst of Maguilaguila Silatation Dam. The
presence of elevated concentrations of metals may
cause acidic drainage waters (Price, 2009) because
they tend to donate electrons. Initially, the river is
lifeless. According to the most recent studies, Figure 2.1b Ochre (orange particles) smothered in Paadjao
Mogpog River is classified as “Class C” under fresh River
water as per DENR Administrative Order # 34 (Photo: Mark Logsdon/USGS)
(Revised Water Usage and Classification/Water
Quality Criteria Amending Sections Nos. 68 and 69,
Chapter III of the 1978 NPCC rules and Regulations).
Based on DAO # 34, Series of 1990, “Class C” water is
for fishing, propagation and growth of fish and other
aquatic resources; recreational Water Class II
(boating, etc.); and industrial water supply Class I
(for manufacturing processes after treatment). The
natural recovery of a river system from acid rock
drainage is influenced by several processes,
including dilution, interaction with sources of
alkalinity, precipitation/sorption of metals, and
settling of particulates. Results showed that Mogpog
River was able to maintain its average water quality
within the DENR criteria of pH for Class C water at all

Figure 2.2b Thomas has baithed in the Mogpog River every
day since he was a baby. His body is now
covered with skin discolouration which he
started developing about forty years ago when
Placer Dome's mine was in full operation.
Since the burst of the Maguilaguila Dam,
residents of Mogpog never tried to catch aquatic
organisms in the river system of Mogpog in fear of
getting poisoned. In contrast, some residents are
now using the river with its non-market value like
swimming and other recreational opportunities.
Local residents, LGUs and NGOs also do the annual
bamboo tree planting and sandbagging around the
peripherals of Bocboc (Figure 2.3b) and Candahon
areas.
Figure 2.3b Sandbagging Activity in Bocboc, Mogpog
(Photo: Myke Magalang/MaCEC)
Boac River
Figure 2.0c Boac River in Tabi, Boac, Marinduque area
(Photo: Karol Ilagan)
Subsequent studies have made this a well-
documented case of the impacts of acid mine
drainage and mine tailings on heavy metal
concentrations in the river environment. The Boac-
Makulapnit River is contaminated with heavy metals
primarily due to acid mine drainage. Recent studies
about the chemical analysis of the Boac River System
suggest the presence of Copper-containing
compounds (i.e. Copper silicates and Copper
sulfates). Benthic macroinvertebrates have been
effectively employed to describe the degree of
ecosystem degradation resulting from heavy-metal
contamination (David, 2003). Recent studies about
the chemical analysis of the Boac River System
suggests a normal water chemistry except for the
Hinapulan station where the water sample are
clinically low in pH value. Some species are also
known to bioaccumulate, these species includes
caddisflies Hydropsche sp (Order: Tichptera) and
snails Pila Luzonica. Ecosystem had been established
through the environment with in situ species e.g.
Tilapia Oreochromis nilocyicus, catfish Clarias
batrachus, mudfish Channa striata, goby Gobiidae
sp., eel Aguillidae sp. and Luciocephalinae sp.
Residents are also reportedly experiencing rashes
and sores due to heavy metal concentrations in the
river (Figure 2.2c). For the remediation, the local
government provides the funding of Bamboo
planting along the river banks.
Figure 2.1c Makulapnit River in Boac showing bluish water
which suggest the presence of dissolved Copper
componds
(Photo: Geoff Plumlee/USGS)
Figure 2.2c Eliza Hernandez washes clothes at Barangay
Balingbing, in the Boac River She blames the
rashes and sores on her body on contamination
from the Boac disaster.
(Photo: David Sproule/Oxfam)
The market productivity of the river had
been adversely affected until now. Commercial
fishing is still inactive in the area since the tragedy in
1996 although fishing for family-consumption is now
active. In contrast, the river’s other productive
ventures are now being used; these may include
laundry service, irrigation ang Kangkong Ipomea
aquatic and other vegetable farming. Small gravel
and sand quarrying are also returning into business
in the riverbanks. Moreover, the nonmarket use
values of the river are also being appreciated by the
residents (e.g. recreatonal, fetching drinking water)
(Figue 2.3c).
Figure 2.3c Children, river fishing in Boac River
(Source: www.marinduquegov.blogspot)
Rehabilitation
Several activities for the remediation of the
affected area had been executed. This includes
establishing of bamboo species and other plant
communities using available species that are
tolerant of drought, low soil pH, poor soil texture,
the lack of organic materials and nutrients, and
other factors characteristic of metal-extracted
tailings (Peters, 1984) as an introduction to
revegetation in the region. There are known species
that sequesters metals from the soil and in aqueous
solution. There are possible keystone organisms that
in the areas which serves as an effective biofilters for
the removal of metals aqueous solution such as
“Sargassum sp. for copper” (Jacinto et al., 2008)
“Ipomea aquatic also for copper” (Tan, 2011). This is
essential to form detritus and start a new
biogeochemical cycle to form an ecosystem. The
stabilization of the tailings surface with the
establishment of a grass cover is providing a
satisfactory environment for colonization by native
flora and fauna.
CONCLUSION
Upon conducting this study, it was found
out that acid mine drainage caused by waste dump
of Marcopper Mining Company is still and currently
devastating the environment despite the efforts of
the residents of Marinduque. Based on the
assessment, Marinduque has not fully recuperated
because most of the areas that are previously
adversely affected by the tragedy still possess
significant traces of the tailings. Although species of
aquatic organisms are now inhabited in the affected
areas, the levels of metals are subjected to
bioavailability. There having these facts, the human
consumption of this organisms is not recommended.
Additionally, the productivity of the affected areas is
now being appreciated by the local residents has a
significant of the economy of the island.
This study suggests that private sector
investment like the Marcopper Mining Company can
be a driver of economic growth and poverty
reduction, provided appropriate regulations and
controls exist. However without adherence to
human rights standards, mining can cause the loss of
land and livelihoods, degradation of land and
waterways, and increased violence and conflict. The
most vulnerable or marginalised members of
communities tend to be most excluded from the
economic benefits of mining, and to bear the brunt
of its negative social and environmental impacts.
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