Mine pit of death: Consunjis to probe third tragedy in 5 years in Semirara

Mine pit of death: Consunjis to probe third tragedy in 5 years in Semirara

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) is launching its own investigation into the death of a worker in its open pit mine in Semirara, Antique province Sunday night.

Twenty two-year-old safety aide Lpath Felipe was killed while two others were injured on Sunday night.

In a statement to the local bourse Monday afternoon, the company controlled by the Consunji family clarified that around 8 p.m. Sunday, Felipe accidentally slipped and fell onto one of the benches of Molave pit while conducting a routine walk-around inspection in the area.

“…There was no ‘bog down’ on any portion of the Molave open pit. At the day of the accident, no slides or earth movement were registered or monitored that might have caused the accidental slip of Mr. Felipe,” it said.

In an earlier story published by PNA, Antique’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) officer, Broderick Train, said the cause of death of the worker was “not clearly indicated” nor had there been a bog down or landslide that happened in the Molave pit.

Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao has previously asked to shut down its operations over deep mining activities and “exhaustion” of its coal resources.

The pit had previously collapsed in February 2013 leaving five workers dead.

In July 2015, a landslide also struck the area, which reportedly buried nine workers alive.

Felipe was recovered from the accident site at 8:15 p.m., and brought to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival at 8:35 p.m.

SMPC said it already notified the Department of Energy of this ‘unfortunate’ incident.

“We have also met with the parents of Mr. Felipe to offer our condolences and support during this difficult time,” it said. “Our employees are likewise undergoing safety refresher/retraining courses to remind them of our safety protocols.”