The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 has ordered the immediate suspension of the operations in Carmen Pit, the mine operation site of Carmen Copper Corporation (CCC) in Toledo City.

This is after a landslide occurred at the open pit’s north wall at around 4:15 p.m. on Monday, December 21.

Initial investigations revealed there was no mining activity in the area on that day.

Landslide debris fell on the water at the pit bottom which has an elevation 41m above sea level and created a tsunami-like wave that reached an elevation of 105 meters in the southern portion of the pit where the workers were located.

As of December 22, four fatalities were recorded and six remained missing as reported by the mining company during a meeting with MGB 7.

DENR Central Visayas Regional Executive Director Pacquito Melicor Jr., MGB 7 Director Armando Malicse and his team from the Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division conducted an assessment in the area.

CCC and Toledo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management team continue the search and retrieval operations on a limited scale due to unstable condition, while MGB7 technical personnel continues its on-site inspection and investigation.

“The suspension order aims to prevent further accidents,” Malicse said.

This is in accordance with R.A. 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) and the DENR Administrative Order Nos. 2010-21 (Consolidated IRR of RA 7942) and 2000-98 (Mine Safety and Health Standards). (IO/MGB7)