Newmont endangers people, ecosystem<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A study released by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment
\n(Walhi) on Wednesday contends that tailings from gold mining firm
\nNewmont Minahasa Raya (NMR) contain four times the government-
\nallowed level of cyanide, endangering the health of residents and
\nendangering the environment.<\/p>\n
The study alleged that traces of cyanide could be found in
\nmarine animals living in Buyat Bay, Buyat River and Ratatotok Bay
\nin Minahasa regency, North Sulawesi, where the NMR tailings were
\ndisposed.<\/p>\n
\"The research shows that NMR tailings have disturbed the
\nmarine ecosystem in both Buyat and Ratatotok bay. The disposal of
\nthe NMR tailings has been uncontrolled and widespread,\" said
\nWalhi campaigner Raja Siregar, who conducted the study with Joko
\nPurwanto, a senior lecturer at the Bogor Institute of
\nAgriculture.<\/p>\n
The field study took place in June 2001 and January 2002, and
\nJoko analyzed the findings of the study up to early this year.<\/p>\n
Raja said high levels of cyanide and other chemicals like
\nmercury, cadmium and arsenic in Buyat Bay had reduced the catch
\nof local fishermen.<\/p>\n
\"The locals have to sail a kilometer out from the coast ... to
\ncatch fish,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Locals also have begun to suffer health problems, mostly brain
\ndamage and tremors, he alleged.<\/p>\n
Raja said the study proved that NMR had violated its
\nenvironmental impact assessment, which stipulated that cyanide
\nshould not be found in the bodies of marine animals in the area.<\/p>\n
The study also claims NMR's tailings pipeline is prone to
\nleakage, stating that four leaks occurred in the last seven
\nyears.<\/p>\n
Raja accused NMR of being irresponsible and endangering both
\nlocal residents and the environment.<\/p>\n
\"NMR must pay compensation for the health, social and
\nenvironmental damage it has caused to locals. But so far, the
\nlocals have not seen it (compensation),\" he said.<\/p>\n
NMR external relations manager David Sompie denied the
\nfindings of the Walhi study.<\/p>\n
He said the company carried out a detoxification process on
\nits tailings to eliminate the cyanide used in the gold mining
\nprocess.<\/p>\n
He said previous studies by the Indonesian Institute of
\nSciences, the Agency for the Study and Application of Technology
\nand the Environmental Impact Control Agency found no excess
\ncyanide in NMR's tailings.<\/p>\n
He said there was no reason to trust the findings of the Walhi
\nstudy.<\/p>\n
\"We have more faith in the previous studies. We have been
\ndoing very good so far, otherwise our license would have already
\nbeen revoked by the government,\" Sompie said.<\/p>\n
The company began its mining operation in Ratatotok village,
\nBelang district, Minahasa regency, North Sulawesi, in 1996, with
\na concession of 527,448 hectares.<\/p>\n
The company will close its operation later this year, but it
\nis required to monitor the site for the next three years.<\/p>\n
As of 2002, NMR has released over four million tons of
\ntailings into Buyat Bay and the surrounding coast.<\/p>\n
Ironically, NMR's sister company, Newmont Nusa Tenggara, has
\nbeen given a license by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral
\nResources to carry out mining activities in a protected forest in
\nLombok island, West Nusa Tenggara province.<\/p>\n
The deputy assistant for mining, energy, oil and gas at the
\nOffice of the State Minister for the Environment, Yanuardi
\nRasudin, said he would contact NMR to clarify Walhi's claims.<\/p>\n
\"We will also ask NMR to explain its plans for closing the
\nmine,\" he said.<\/p>\n
If there are any violations of its contract, the Ministry of
\nEnergy and Mineral Resources can take action against the company.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/newmont-endangers-people-ecosystem-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}