The island of Rapu-Rapu in Albay, Philippines, is hostage to RRPP, formerly owned by Lafayette Mining Ltd of Australia, now taken over by LG & KORES of South Korea and MSC of Malaysia. Victim of compromised laws & corrupt government officials, the residents can only brace themselves for more ecological disasters & their effects: health problems, loss of land & livelihood, & uncertain future, UNLESS WE TAKE ACTION TO CLOSE THE RAPU-RAPU MINE.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Two thousand years needed to restore forest damaged by open pit mining
All along we have thought it would take 30-50 years to revegetate Rapu-Rapu after Lafayette is done mining. National Geographic just published a report that in a mountain top mining for coal in Boone County, West Virginia, it would take 2000 years. Note that they are coal mining in the area, where the process does not entail use of chemicals. In gold, silver, copper and zinc mining, cyanide and sulfuric acid are used. Hence, the process is much more contaminating and a longer period than 2000 years can be expected for Rapu-Rapu. Please read this: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100311-mountaintop-mining-west-virginia/
Friday, March 12, 2010
Visit to Rapu-Rapu by New Albay Bishop Confirms Grave Impact of Mining
The following news item was broadcast over Radio Veritas Legazpi (DWBS) during its 7 AM news on March 11, 2010
Baretang Simbahan
Ginibo ni Bishop Joel Baylon kan Diocese kan Legazpi an saiyang kaenot-enoting pastoral visit sa Parokya kan Rapu-Rapu. Sa saiyang pagbisita an Obispo nakipag-ulay sa mga parokyano tanganing kumustahon an kondisyon kan buhay kan kada pamilya. Sa pakikipag-ulay kan Obispo sa mga taga-Rapu-Rapu, Albay napag-araman an sobrang epekto kan padagos na pagmimina sa saindang kabuhayan, salud, asin magin sa kapalibutan. Binisita man ni Bishop Bong Baylon an mga barangay na nasa luwas kan sentro kan banwaan na Rapu-Rapu na suboot plano pang minahon kan Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc. Iyan an Baretang Simbahan.
Translation:
Baretang Simbahan
Ginibo ni Bishop Joel Baylon kan Diocese kan Legazpi an saiyang kaenot-enoting pastoral visit sa Parokya kan Rapu-Rapu. Sa saiyang pagbisita an Obispo nakipag-ulay sa mga parokyano tanganing kumustahon an kondisyon kan buhay kan kada pamilya. Sa pakikipag-ulay kan Obispo sa mga taga-Rapu-Rapu, Albay napag-araman an sobrang epekto kan padagos na pagmimina sa saindang kabuhayan, salud, asin magin sa kapalibutan. Binisita man ni Bishop Bong Baylon an mga barangay na nasa luwas kan sentro kan banwaan na Rapu-Rapu na suboot plano pang minahon kan Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc. Iyan an Baretang Simbahan.
Translation:
Church News
Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi made his very first pastoral visit to the Parish of Rapu-Rapu. During his visit, the Bishop talked to the parishioners to know the situation of every family. In his dialogue with the people of Rapu-Rapu, Albay the Bishop was informed about the grave effects of the ongoing mining operation on their livelihood, health and even the environment. Bishop Bong Baylon also visited the villages outside the capital of the town of Rapu-Rapu which, according to reports, Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc. plans to mine. That is the Church News.