MINING MALAISE

Three officials of the Marcopper Mining Corporation in the Philippines have been named in a criminal prosecution launched by the Philippine government last month. The officials have been accused of negligence for allowing a copper mill - on the Marindique island - to leak toxic waste into the Boac river early this year (Down To Earth, Vol 4, No 24). This is the first time that foreign executives - the accused are two Australians and a Filipino - are facing criminal charges in the country for violating environmental laws. Marcopper hopes to resume its operations after pledging US $15 million for cleaning up the river.