Press Statement of The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines regarding Lafayette mine tailing spills November 29, 2005

The Chamber of Mines has called a press conference to allay fears and assure everyone that all remedial measures are being undertaken by Lafayette Mining Company particularly on the safety and structural capability of its tailings dam.

An independent team formed jointly with the DENR was dispatched last November 29 to ensure that proper engineering design and standards are adhered to that would cater to the highest rainfall in the region.

"We understand that Lafayette is doing all the required environmental safeguards and long-term measures to prevent a repeat of such situation", Mr. Disini, Chairman of the organization said during the press conference.

The independent team is composed of academics and engineers led by Dr. Carlos Primo David of the UP National Institute for Geological Sciences, Engineers Joselito R. Bacani of the Environment Committee of the Chamber of Mines, Jake G. Foronda, former member of the Board of Metallurgical Engineering of the Professional Regulations Commission and Marcelo A. Bolano of Benguet Corporation.