Disposing of toxic waste<\/p>\n
As a regular reader of The Jakarta Post I value the
\ncontribution of your paper to the Indonesian news coverage.
\nUnfortunately, some articles, such as the one entitled Govt
\nslammed for not halting MSM mining operation date Dec. 24 seem to
\nlack responsible editorial review. The article consists of
\nmisleading and damaging statements.<\/p>\n
The Executive Director of the Indonesian Center of
\nEnvironmental Law (ICEL) suggests that MSM is polluting (or is
\nintending to pollute) the environment, thus violating
\nEnvironmental Law No. 23\/1997. This is incorrect, a balanced
\ncomment would have been more appropriate.<\/p>\n
A convenient but misleading reference is made to the Buyat
\ncase leaving the reader with the impression that Newmont has in
\nfact polluted Buyat Bay by using submarine tailing placement
\n(STP). This is also wrong. Legal proceedings are still under way,
\nand a final verdict in the Buyat case is still outstanding. The
\nCenter of Environmental \"Law\" is well advised to await the
\noutcome of proper legal proceedings before jumping publicly to
\nany biased conclusions.<\/p>\n
ICEL also urges the government \"to issue a permanent ban on
\nthe disposal of toxic waste into the sea, such as STP\", a
\nsuggestion fully supported by the Mining Advocacy Network
\n(JATAM). I certainly concur that toxic waste needs to be disposed
\noff in an appropriate manner. However, ICEL and JATAM are both
\naware that while some tailings are toxic, many tailings are not.
\nGeneralization does not help the sensitive discussions of
\ntailings disposal.<\/p>\n
An argument often brought forward by both organizations is
\nthat Indonesia should ban STP because STP is not applied in most
\nother countries. However, a general ban of deep-sea tailings
\ndisposal scheme would negate the fundamental principle that
\nenvironmental assessment is conducted on a site-specific basis.<\/p>\n
Everybody, maybe with the notable exception of JATAM and ICEL,
\nacknowledges that Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, a
\nregion with high seismicity and high rainfall. Land mass is
\nscarce, and high rainfall together with high seismicity often
\nimpose considerable challenges for safe land-based tailings
\nstorage.<\/p>\n
I believe a public apology from both organizations to MSM and
\nto the local people in North Sulawesi is in order. JATAM and ICEL
\ncontinue to mislead the public, preventing Indonesian citizens to
\nbenefit from developing natural resources in an environmentally
\nfriendly and safe manner. I am sure a public apology will reflect
\nthe proper image of social responsibility that both organizations
\nwish to portray.<\/p>\n
KARLHEINZ SPITZ, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Note: Thank you for your information.<\/p>\n
--Editor<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/disposing-of-toxic-waste-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }