Dr. Emelina G. Regis Puerto Princesa, Palawan Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR) Ateneo de Naga University Naga City August 5, 2011

2. Mining Impacts to the Environment
Dr. Emelina G. Regis
August 5, 2011
August 5 2011
Puerto Pinsesa, Palawan
Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR)
Ateneo de Naga University
Naga City
Naga City

3. The Island Ecosystem
A. Mangrove D. Cropland
D. Cropland G. Seagrass beds
G. Seagrass beds
B. Forest E. Human Settlement
C. Coral F. River/Creek
The mining area with open pit is letter H. B2 represents denuded forest.
The darker tint of the coral reef at the left side represents dead corals.

6. raindrops
force of falling raindrops reduced by
leaves of trees
water droplets gently fall
on dried leaves
Water table
Water table
groundwater
Watershed Effect

7. Mining
Mining is the physical removal of soil and rocks
Mining is the physical removal of soil and rocks
from the earth’s crust for various purposes.
To facilitate processing, these rocks are crushed
into smaller fragments
Metals are released through heap leaching
process using acid and/or cyanide
The acid and/or cyanide are released into a
treatment plant and/or the disposal sites
treatment plant and/or the disposal sites

8. Stages of mining
1. Exploration – clearing of vegetation and construction
of roads causing disturbance to wildlife
g
2. Site development- road building continue,
infrastructures (offices, processing plants) are built
3. Extraction (processing)- addition of chemicals such
as mercury and cyanide to extract the target metals
(gold, silver, copper, zinc) or sulfuric acid in nickel
mining in laterite soil
4. Mine Closure – when ores are exhausted and social
problems arise creating financial liability to the company

9. Ores in the ecosystem
1
2

10. Effect of mining, topsoil is
removed

11. Quezon, Palawan
Operation of BNC over Natural Forest

12. Brgy. Berong, Quezon
Quezon, Palawan
Quezon Palawan
Discoloration of Iba’t Ong River due to operation of Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC)
Exploration Photo by ELAC

13. CITINICKEL, NARRA

14. Laterite‐affected ricefield

15. Metals in Laterite soil and impacts
Metals in Laterite soil and impacts
Laterite is a residual ore deposit resulting
Laterite is a residual ore deposit resulting
from the weathering of rocks and soil.
Metals found with nickel (Ni) are Cobalt (Co),
( ) ( ),
Aluminum (Al), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr),
Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc
Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc
(Zn)

16. Metals Toxic Effects on plants at elevated
levels or if values exceeded standards
Nickel
Ni k l Reduced roots & shoots biomass;
R d d t h t bi
Blocks cell division inhibiting root
branching;
Chromium III Alteration of the germination process,
& chromium VI root, stem & leaf growth; destroys
(Hexavalent) photosynthetic ability to produce food;
Manganese Chlorosis; stunting of growth; reduced
grain yield; reduced root elongation,
i i ld d d t l ti
eventual death; decreased in size and
opening of stomata resulting in reduced
entry of carbon dioxide, thus affecting
photosynthesis
Sources: Shanker et al. 2005;Ahmad et al. 2010; Seregin and Kozhevnikova
2005; Dobermann and Fairhurst 2000; Lidon 2000; Ward et al. 2008

17. Metals Toxic Effects on plants at elevated
levels or if values exceeded standards
Nickel
Ni k l Reduced roots & shoots biomass;
R d d t h t bi
Blocks cell division inhibiting root
branching;
Chromium III Alteration of the germination process,
& chromium VI root, stem & leaf growth; destroys
(Hexavalent) photosynthetic ability to produce food;
Manganese Chlorosis; stunting of growth; reduced
grain yield; reduced root elongation,
i i ld d d t l ti
eventual death; decreased in size and
opening of stomata resulting in reduced
entry of carbon dioxide, thus affecting
photosynthesis
Sources: Shanker et al. 2005;Ahmad et al. 2010; Seregin and Kozhevnikova
2005; Dobermann and Fairhurst 2000; Lidon 2000; Ward et al. 2008

18. Whitish blades of rice
Whitish blades of rice
plant from
San Isidro ricefield :
San Isidro ricefield :
example of posssibly
affected by heavy
affected by heavy
metals

19. Metal Other Toxic Effects
Iron Inhibition of primary root growth; death.
Toxic to fishes
Chromium Damage gills of fishes causing death
Nickel Human carcinogen especially of the lungs
As, Cr, Mn, Ni Reduced plant growth and inability to
produce food by 46%
Ni, Co, Mn Reduced harvest on beans by 23%
Cd, Cu, Zn, Decreased in plant growth by 85%
Mn, Co, Ni
M C Ni
Sources: US EPA, 2001; Munthas et al. 2010; William and Wilkins
1985; Shanker et al. 2005; Ahmad et al. 2010; Lidon 2000; Ward et
al. 2008;

20. Effects on plants
Normal
pollen
grains
aborted
Stachytarpheta
jamaicensis

21. Mature coconut trees in Sitio Sta. Barbara
b i f it ( d
bearing fruits (see red arrows) )

22. Mature coconuts that do not bear fruits in the mining
area of Sitio Ultra Barangay Luklukan Sur
area of Sitio Ultra, Barangay Luklukan Sur

23. Effects on plants
(Cyperus kyllingia)
(Cyperus kyllingia)
Loss of starch in leaves of
grass plants
grass plants
Control
Contaminated
C i d

24. Impacts on the seagrass
Halodule pinifolia
p f
Right: Normal cells
Right: Normal cells
Left : structural destruction of
cells.

25. A simplified food chain

26. Impacts of heavy metals on human health
Respiratory problems; cadmium pneumonitis
Cancer (all kinds)
Brain dysfunction; mental retardation; permanent
brain damage
Malfunctions of organ systems: nervous, kidney
nervous
Loss of vision; deafness; Loss of muscle
coordination
Bone abnormalities
Liver poisoning; blood poisoning
Problems on reproduction development and birth
reproduction,
defects
Stomach irritation; vomiting; diarrhea
Coma and death

27. Left: Pagcolbon River,
Rapu-Rapu within the
p p
mining site at higher
elevation (Dec 11,
2005) pH is 2.8. The
28
weather was humid
The Coral Reef at
the E t
th Eastern coast t
of Rapu-Rapu
where Pagcolbon
River and Ungay
i d
Creek empty their
contaminated
acidic water and
waste cyanide

28. Effects of mining on aquatic animals
g q
Cyanide residues in tailings pond – cause death
to fishes, wildlife and domestic animals
Elevated levels of cyanide that reaches the
Elevated levels of cyanide that reaches the
sea causes fishkills
Tailings choke, smothers and kill animals in the
coral reef
coral reef

29. Fish Killing in Rapu‐Rapu (2005, 2007)

30. Live Corals of Rapu‐Rapu

31. Dead corals near mining site of Rapu‐Rapu
Pictures taken March 2009

32. Dead corals near mining site of Rapu‐Rapu
Pictures taken March 2009

33. The Coral Triangle
Center of
fish
diversity

34. Save God’s wonderful creation!

35. Tao, Tulungan mo kami!