CASE STUDY ON THE MINE-RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER IN MARINDUQUE
International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Union (ICEM) and National Mines and Allied Workers' Union (NAMAWU)
Marinduque, Philippines

This case study was done in order to assess the impact of an environmental disaster in Marinduque, an island located in Central Philippines. The disaster was caused by a massive discharge of tailings from the Marcopper Mine into the Boac River. The study had five goals: to examine the extent of environmental and social damage caused by the spillage, to examine preventative measures for the future, to assist in developing policies for the disposal of mine waste at all levels, to enable NAMAWU to mobilize on environmental issues using participatory research methods, and to encourage NAMAWU and other mining unions to integrate environmental protection and health and safety issues within and outside of the work environment. The case study used an environmental audit approach to examine the sequence of the disaster, reactions to the spillage, impacts of the spill, unresolved issues and concerns, and a final analysis.

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