The Philex disaster The foreseen long-term damage is irreversible,

The Philex disaster is the biggest in Philippine mining history, dumping a staggering 21 million metric tons of toxic tailings on the watershed system along the Balog-Agno Rivers all the way to San Roque Dam, which supplies critical power and irrigation to Central Luzon. The foreseen long-term damage is irreversible, affecting millions of lives, and vast areas of the Central Luzon ecosystem for many generations to come.

Philex claims its mining operations give livelihood to thousands of Filipinos and contribute to Philippine economic growth. In 48 years of operations, Philex earned $2.7 billion or Php 120 million. But the damage it has caused and will cause is estimated to be ten fold of its earnings. It has set an example that mining is not sustainable and yields benefit to a few rich and harm to many Filipinos.

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) capacity – 142 mmt

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) 2007 – 9.07 mmt capacity – 142 mmt

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) 2007 – 9.07 mmt capacity – 142 mmt 2009 – mmt

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) 2007 – 9.07 mmt capacity – 142 mmt 2009 – mmt 2009 – mmt unused

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) 2007 – 9.07 mmt capacity – 142 mmt 2009 – mmt average mmt / year 2009 – mmt unused

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) 2007 – 9.07 mmt capacity – 142 mmt 2009 – mmt average mmt / year 2009 – mmt unused walls raised 5 m (continuously?)

According to Philex records, the dam embankment of tailing pond 3 is continuously being built-up by Philex Mines to maintain a freeboard of 5 meters at the mine dike. Dr. Arturo Boquiren Dossier on Philex Mines May 2009

By how much was the wall raised finally? Did they just keep raising the walls slowly as the contents go up? Even a non-engineer knows the implication of raising the walls of a dam as contents accumulate. It means it will carry greater volume of tailings beyond the originally designed capacity.

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) 2007 – 9.07 mmt capacity – 142 mmt 2009 – mmt average mmt / year 2009 – mmt unused walls raised 5 m (continuously?)

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) 2007 – 9.07 mmt capacity – 142 mmt 2009 – mmt average mmt / year walls raised 5 m (continuously?) predicted volume on august 2012 collapse – mmt

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) 2007 – 9.07 mmt capacity – 142 mmt 2009 – mmt average mmt / year walls raised 5 m (continuously?) predicted volume on august 2012 collapse – mmt Over-capacity 103 mmt

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) 2007 – 9.07 mmt capacity – 142 mmt 2009 – mmt average mmt / year walls raised 5 m (continuously?) predicted volume on august 2012 collapse – mmt underground outflow above ground outflow collapse of outflow pipe penstock Over-capacity 103 mmt

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) underground outflow above ground outflow void after collapse

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) underground outflow above ground outflow void after collapse two 40-meter cement plugs

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) underground outflow above ground outflow void after collapse secondary dike primary dike

Philex Tailings Dam No. 3 Life span 20 years ( ) underground outflow above ground outflow void after collapse now full of water secondary dike primary dike area scoured by water – 15% Source - MGB

If EMB approved the raising of the wall, is it not just as culpable? Philex points an accusing finger on government for approving the raising of the wall. Was there collusion among engineers of Philex and EMB with or without the knowledge of their managements?