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Toxic contamination found
Recently, Greenpeace scientists and government officials inspected the area around the mine and proved that its toxic pollution will clearly affect the island's coastal communities and marine ecosystems.
Greenpeace activists also recently hung a banner from the conveyor belt of the Lafayette mine demanding that it stop polluting the ocean.
Water samples taken from a creek leading out from the mine and into the sea showed very high levels of toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, copper and zinc. High levels of these metals are toxic to humans, plants and animals.
Scientists already regard the Philippines as the world's centre of marine biodiversity and Rapu Rapu island is no different. The island's surrounding waters and its Albay Gulf teem with rich biodiversity such as dolphins, sea turtles, egrets, purple herons, whale sharks, seagrass beds and mangroves. Local communities also rely on on this rich marine ecosystem fo their survival.
Greenpeace campaigner Beau Baconguis siad: "People are already suffering from continuous toxic contamination from the mine."
Financial backing
The Australian ANZ bank and Dutch ABN-Amro (one of the world's biggest financial institutions) are funding this mine so that it can continue its ocean destruction. Ironically, both organisations claim to have policies that stop them from investing in socially and environmentally irresponsible projects.
Mine closure is vital
The mine was temporarily closed last year after two toxic spills into the ocean resulted in mass fish killings. A presidential fact find commission recommended that the mine be permanently shut down.
However, this July the Philippine government granted Lafayette a trial licence for 30 days to see if the mine could be run without damaging the sea. During the trial several toxic leaks occurred and residents have since reported more fish kills in the creeks leading out from the mine into Albay Gulf.
"The reopening of Lafayette mine has started the clock for another disaster in our marine ecosystem. Lafayette mine must be closed for good," Baconguis added.
What Greenpeace is doing
Greenpeace is calling on the Philippine governement to shut down the mine and for Lafayette to clean and rehabilitate the mine site to avoid any further damage.
"The Arroyo government's support for the mining operation makes it part of the problem and not the solution," said Baconguis. "Rather than serve the interests of mining corporations, the government must act on behalf of the 30 million Filipinos who rely on our rich marine environment for food and livelihoods."
Greenpeace is also pressuring the ANZ and ABN Amro banks to stop funding the mine.
What you can do
Take action now by:
- Telling the ANZ bank to stop funding the Rapu Rapu mine.
- Telling the ABN AMRO bank to stop funding the Rapu Rapu mine.
- Pressuring the Philippine's President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to close the mine for good.
