Public Finance and Environment

September 1, 2018

●Water Quality Analysis in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan (April 2018)

The results of our water quality analysis for 10 years in Rio Tuba have proved that Cr (VI) in the Togpon River almost all the time in the rainy season exceeded the environmental standards in Japan, or “Environmental Quality Standards Concerning the Protection of the Human Health” (not exceeding 0.05 mg/L) (Refer to Table 2 below).

Table 2: Result of Water Quality Analysis in Togpon River on Hexavalent Chromium for 10 years (Unit: mg/L)

(Remarks: The figures in boldface are the water samples which exceeded the environmental standards in Japan, or “Environmental Quality Standards Concerning the Protection of the Human Health” (not exceeding 0.05 mg/L))

(*) Examination by ICP-MS, or Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer, at the laboratory in Japan
(**) On-the-spot examination by simple detector tube for hexavalent chromium
(***) It was impossible to examine this water sample immediately due to the reddish brown muddiness. The above data of Cr(VI) is the result of examination after a half day when the inclusion was settled. Likewise, the above data of total Cr is the result of examination after filtering.

In our water quality analysis in the dry season (April) of 2018, Cr (VI) was not over the environmental standards in Togpon River, which is the same result of the previous dry season. Thus, the expert pointed out, “With the result this time, it is reconfirmed that hexavalent chromium is liquated by rainfall in the mining and the processing plant areas.” (Refer to the document on the result for more details.)

According to a Japanese company concerned, the project owners had started to take mitigation measures against Cr(VI) flowing out since 2012, such as covering the nickel ore stockpile with canvas sheets, excavating the siltation pond, and putting activated charcoal around the exit of siltation pond liking to Togpon River. No change, however, has been seen since 2012 in the tendency that Cr(VI) exceeds the Japanese environmental standards in the rainy season. It is highly questionable whether their anti-pollution measures are effective.

Togpon River crossing under the main road is relatively accessible by the local community, including children. From the viewpoint of preventing the damage to the local people’s health, the project companies should accept the NGO's proposal for the joint investigation regarding the water quality, aiming at searching the pollution mechanism, so that they can develop the drastic anti-pollution measures. Immediate and wise decision by the project companies is expected.

Left Photo: Togpon River
Right Photo: The result of examination by simple detector tube for hexavalent chromium (trace) (April 29, 2018)
All photos’ credit: FoE Japan

> Please see the detailed result and comments of the latest water analysis (in April 2018) by the expert at the following link;

- The Result of Water Analysis surrounding the Nickel Mining Sites and the Nickel Processing Plants in Rio Tuba, Palawan in April 2018 (by Mr. Junichi Ohnuma, Former Lecturer of Kinjo-gakuin University / Former Lecturer of Chubu University / Former Principal Investigator of Environmental Investigation Center in Aichi Prefecture)
(Dates of Water Sampling: April 29 and 30, 2018)
- Map of Locations of Water Sampling in Palawan (April 2018)

●Water Quality Analysis in Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte (May 2018)

This has been the first follow-up investigation in Taganito since February 2013. In the analysis 5 years ago, Cr (VI) was over the Japanese environmental standards (not exceeding 0.05 mg/L) in the two rivers, namely Hayanggabon River and Taganito River. In addition, it is pointed out that the water, which has been continuously contaminated by Cr (VI), has been used by the Indigenous Mamanwa people in the resettlement site as domestic and drinking water.

In our water quality analysis in May 2018, Cr (VI) still exceeded the environmental standards in Taganito River (0.15 to 0.2 mg/L), while the detected amount of Cr (VI) has reduced in Hayanggabon River where the highest figure of Cr (VI) was detected in the last analysis in 2013.

In the resettlement site of the Indigenous Mamanwa people, Cr (VI) exceeded the Japanese Water Supply Act as well as the Japanese environmental standards (0.05mg/L) in the spring water near the sea area, which around 30 households have been using as domestic and drinking water for almost 2 years. Also, Nickel (Ni) was over the Control Target under the Japanese Water Supply Act (0.01mg/L) in the other spring water, which can be taken along the main road near the resettlement site, as well as in the said spring water. (Refer to the document on the result for more details.) According to the local community, although the THPAL Nickel Co. regularly provides the drinking water, it is not enough for the daily life of the whole family members.

The expert pointed out, “The relevant companies, including Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. (SMM), need to take immediate measures against such water contamination, given that the local community has been using those spring water for drinking. According to a Japanese company concerned, the project company is planning to rehabilitate the water supply system in the resettlement site soon, which has been broken. It is needed to take immediate actions and solutions based on each community’s requests, and each relationship etc.

Further, the expert made a comment, “These results have proved that serious contamination by hexavalent chromium has been occurring in shallow underground water, which the local community is using for domestic and/or drinking purposes, in the whole area of Taganito, Surigao del Norte,” and thus, “the appropriate measures must be established and implemented as quickly as possible in Palawan as well as Surigao del Norte, as there are concerns over the health damage of the local communities and the destruction of ecosystem in bays and coastal areas. If any appropriate measures could not be established, it should be taken into account to suspend or stop the projects.”

In Taganito, though not only Japanese companies but also the other ones, such as Chinese, have been engaging in nickel mining projects, Japanese companies, in cooperation with the other companies, must take immediate measures, such as investigating the mechanism of water contamination by Cr (VI) and the environment destruction, and establishing / implementing the effective anti-pollution measures.

Left Photo: Hayanggabon River
Right Photo: The resettlement site of the Indigenous Mamanwa People (May 23, 2018)

Left Photo: No. 4 location point. The Indigenous Mamanwa People is taking water along the main road near the resettlement site.
Right Photo: The result of examination by simple detector tube for Cr (VI). From the left side, the samples of mineral water (no detection), No 4 sample or water taken along the main road, (Trace), No2 sample or Hayanggabon River (Trace), No 3 sample or spring water taken near the sea area in the resettlement site (0.075 mg/L), and No 1 sample or Taganito River (0.15 mg/L) (May 23, 2018)
All photos’ credit: FoE Japan

> Please see the detailed result and comments of the latest water analysis (in May 2018) by the expert at the following link;

- The Result of Water Analysis surrounding the Nickel Mining Sites and the Nickel Processing Plants in Taganito, Surigao del Norte in May 2018 (by Mr. Junichi Ohnuma, Former Lecturer of Kinjo-gakuin University / Former Lecturer of Chubu University / Former Principal Investigator of Environmental Investigation Center in Aichi Prefecture)
(Dates of Water Sampling: May 23 and 34, 2018)
- Map of Locations of Water Sampling in Surigao del Norte (May 2018)