Placer Dome in the Philippines Placer Dome Inc. co-owned (39.9%) and operated two copper mines on the island of Marinduque in the Philippines for almost 30 years from 1968-1997. In addition to guaranteeing the loans for these mines and providing technical expertise, Placer Dome filled the top management positions of President and Resident Manager of the Marcopper Mining Corporation for the entire 30 years. During the operation of the Marcopper mines, mine waste in the form of tailings (both intentionally dumped and "accidentally" spilled) and leakage from waste rock siltation ponds and waste dumps has had a severe impact on the eco-systems of the island's two major river systems and one large bay. Media Release: Australian-listed mining giant ignores threat to Filipinos' lives Oxfam Australia   March 16/2005 Australian stock-exchange listed company, Placer Dome, is ignoring the fears of the people on the Filipino island of Marinduque who live with the threat of losing their lives from the imminent danger of a local dam collapse. Press Release: Save Mt. Canatuan and the Subanon people – stop TVI mining now! October 23/2004 Subanon tribe members from Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte are calling on Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the president of the Philippines to stop large-scale mining operations that threaten to wipe out their community and the sacred mountain of Canatuan. Placer Dome gets flood warning Globe and Mail   October 23/2001 Collapse of Philippine dam, pit would cause loss of life, report to mining company. Philippines set to launch probe into Marcopper, Placer Dome Financial Post   May 19/1999 The Philippine government inquiry will focus on Marcopper's troubled history of copper mining on the island of Marinduque. Placer Dome Inc. controlled 40% of Marcopper, and its executives held senior roles in Marcopper management. Aftermath of a mining operation gone wrong Financial Post   May 8/1999 Determining the ownership of the mining company -- and who may ultimately be responsible for the clean-up of Marinduque -- is tantamount to solving a good whodunit. Island's deadly legacy Financial Post   May 8/1999 While Placer Dome and environmentalists argue over waste dumping in Marinduque, villagers are paying the price. The sore that keeps festering Financial Post   April 8/1999 If the findings of the Philippine court are accurate, then Placer Dome's stance that the company had severed its tie to a controversial mine on the island of Marinduque is misleading shareholders and local stakeholders. Company denies claim Financial Post   April 7/1999 Filipino judge says Placer still owns troubled mine. Mine's record murky waters Financial Post   April 7/1999 Placer Dome Inc.'s Marcopper mine project has been shrouded in controversy since it began in 1975, bringing the Vancouver gold producer's environmental dealings into question. Studies confirm Placer Dome's waste poisons Marinduque Philippine Daily Inquirer   March 7/1998 It has been two years since a drainage tunnel collapsed spewing 3-4 million tons of mine tailings into the Boac river. Placer Dome's own studies estimate that only 1/3, at best, of the tailings are now, temporarily, under control in a dredged channel. Marcopper ordered to pay expenses of poison victims Manila Times   September 11/1997 The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered Marcopper Mining Corp. to pay for the detoxification of 11 children poisoned by the firm's mine tailings in Marinduque. Canadian mining company lays waste to Philippine Island Probe Alert   September 1/1997 Placer Dome's 40%-owned subsidiary, Marcopper Mining Corporation, has brought environmental harm and hardship to many Marinduque communities, a legacy that culminated last year in a major environmental disaster. Justice eludes Marcopper victims Philippine Daily Inquirer   July 19/1997 For Marinduquenos, justice can only be celebrated when the ongoing plight of the victims of Marcopper's pollution in Mogpog and in Calancan Bay has also been addressed. Forgotten victims of Placer Dome Philippine Daily Inquirer   April 15/1997 In March of 1996 an unused drainage tunnel at the bottom of a mine tailings disposal pit on Marinduque island collapsed, flooding the Boac and Makulapnit rivers and nearby coastal waters with some 4 million tonnes of mine tailings.