The remains of the missing employee of Semirara Mining and Power Corp.’s coal mining facility in Antique province has been found.
“The Department of Energy is saddened to receive the report that the remains of Pepito Andapat, the missing operator of the PS27 Machinery, has been recovered (Oct. 4), after a three-day search and rescue operation,” the department said in a statement.
The department immediately launched an investigation on the mudslide incident at the coal mining facility in Antique province after the employee went missing on Oct. 2.
“As the DOE continues to conduct its investigation into the recent mudslide that occurred in Semirara Mining and Power Corporation’s Antique facility, the DOE is still in the process of thoroughly evaluating all available information on the incident, and will keep the public informed of subsequent developments on the matter.”
According to Semirara, the mudslide occurred in Southwest Tungao, Semirara Island at 1:05 a.m. on Oct. 2. “We have notified his next of kin and have assured them of our full support to them during this difficult time. We are fully cooperating with the Department of Energy in its investigation of this incident,” Semirara said.
The department, through its Energy Resource Development Bureau, immediately deployed a team of geologists and mining engineers to conduct an on-site assessment.
Based on the aerial and ground inspections of the department’s technical team, the presence of mudflow was confirmed at the location of the incident.
“We are thoroughly investigating the matter to determine the cause of the incident, and ensure that all safety standards and protocols were strictly upheld. Semirara Mining and Power Corp. has assured us of their full cooperation as we carefully look into this incident,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.
It is not clear whether the department would suspend the operations of Semirara because of the incident.
Semirara owns the largest coal mining operations which directly employ more than 3,300 people, making it the single biggest employer in Semirara Island and Caluya.