Babbles to Bubbles

Since January 2006 when the Filipino management took over the Lafayette mining project in Rapu-Rapu, the company opened its doors to the public in consonance with its policy on transparency.

To date hundreds of visitors from the whole spectrum of the society have witnessed the mining operations of the company - teachers, students, nuns, church leaders, bankers, government officials, environmentalists, local residents, foreigners. Most of the visitors have never seen an actual mine before.

The technology amazes them and the employees are always delighted to see new faces in the campsite.

It is quite an experience when facts dispel hearsays. It’s enlightening. New worlds emerge. The visits also played host to those moments when babbles about the mining operations of the company were driven off by facts and firsthand experiences.

Babbles… to bubbles. Like when anti-mining folks say, “If we allow Lafayette to operate, the island of Rapu-Rapu will collapse underwater.” Visitors now know that it won’t happen. The island’s land area is actually more than 5,500 hectares and the mine-pit has an area of only 17 hectares.

Just recently the company welcomed UP students and their professor to the mine complex, drenched in rain. The weather was bad that day due to low pressure and rough seas prevented boat travel. The employees provided accommodations, dry clothing and food. They were also given the usual orientations accorded to visitors. And later a safe trip back to their destination.

But anti-mining groups weaved a different story; they said that UP students who were conducting research were harassed by company employees. Below are some of their pictures at the campsite. Do they look harassed?

Visits are always considered as special delight, especially the boat rides – and of course the facts.

Another fact, hundreds have responded to the company’s invitation to visit the camp; anti-mining proponents declined. These people who made up stories in an effort to stain the company image have never been to the campsite. The spectacle they create out of macadamized stories never fail to gain audience.

They consider themselves as founts of truth… but their creations have nothing but air. Spectacular bubbles.

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