Newmont, NGOs in dispute while people suffer<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta\/Minahasa<\/p>\n
Is Buyat Bay in Minahasa, North Sulawesi contaminated with
\nmercury and arsenic? The answer depends on who is asked.<\/p>\n
If you ask PT Newmont Minahasa Raya (MNR), a mining company
\nthat has disposed of its tailings in the bay since starting
\noperation in 1996, the answer would be a resounding \"no\".<\/p>\n
But if you ask non-governmental organizations (NGOs), either
\nin North Sulawesi's capital Manado or Jakarta, the answer would
\nbe a reverberating \"yes\".<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Buyat residents, who earn a living from
\nfishing, continue to suffer from various illnesses, including
\nskin ailments, lumps and excruciating headaches.<\/p>\n
Ever since reports of alleged Minamata disease in Buyat Bay
\nhit headlines in local and national media early last month,
\nactivists and Newmont have engaged in a war of words.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, both Newmont and NGOs claim to possess the most
\nlegitimate scientific reports to support respective stances.<\/p>\n
Citing research conducted by Sam Ratulangi University in
\nManado, Newmont showed that mercury concentration in seawater at
\nsampling areas was below Indonesia's standard for dissolved
\nmercury of 6 ppb (part per billion). The report was submitted to
\nthe Office of the State Minister of the Environment on May 28.<\/p>\n
NGOs, on the other hand, cited a report published by the
\nEnvironmental Impact Monitoring Center (Pusarpedal), which
\nsuggested that Buyat Bay was highly contaminated with
\nmercury and arsenic.<\/p>\n
According to the report, the arsenic level in Buyat Bay
\nsediment near Newmont's tailings pipe outlet was recorded at
\n1,831 parts per million (ppm) in 2004, up from 1,000 ppm in 2001,
\nfar above the 7.24 ppm Canadian government standard. The mercury
\nlevel, according to the report, reached 3,509 ppm in the bay.<\/p>\n
The conflicting scientific claims have left members of the
\npublic, who have kept a keen eye on headlines for updates on
\nevents around the bay, with more questions than answers.<\/p>\n
The government, which has tried hard to attract foreign
\ninvestment in the country, has surprisingly opted to focus its
\ninvestigation on whether or not any Buyat residents have Minamata
\ndisease.<\/p>\n
Citing a test by a team of doctors from the University of
\nIndonesia, Gajah Mada University and Sam Ratulangi University on
\nfour Buyat residents, Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi said on
\nFriday the residents did not have Minamata disease as previously
\nreported.<\/p>\n
The blood samples of the four Buyat residents revealed that
\nthe level of mercury in their blood ranged between 9.51 u\/L and
\n23.90 u\/L.<\/p>\n
\"Thus, it's clear that the four Buyat residents do not suffer
\nfrom Minamata disease,\" said Suyudi.<\/p>\n
According to the Minamata Institute in Japan, a person can be
\nsuspected of having Minamata disease if the level of mercury in
\nhis\/her blood is at least 200 microns per liter (200 u\/L).<\/p>\n
He did, however, acknowledge that there was mercury in the
\nblood samples of the four.<\/p>\n
\"What are the implications? Is it dangerous? That's what we're
\ncurrently examining. The results are not out yet,\" he told the
\nmedia.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, he said that he was deeply concerned for all
\nBuyat residents and would thus provide them with free food and
\nmedical care.<\/p>\n
\"For all Buyat residents, the Ministry of Health will send a
\nteam to help them with free medical treatment and provide them
\nwith free food,\" said Suyudi.<\/p>\n
As for the 15 Buyat residents currently in Jakarta, Suyudi
\nsaid that he would ensure that they were well taken care of
\nduring their stay in Jakarta and up to their safe return to
\nBuyat.<\/p>\n
Indeed, regardless of what Newmont, NGOs or the government say
\nabout the level of mercury and arsenic in Buyat Bay, it is clear
\nthat people in the area are suffering from various diseases.<\/p>\n
Whether or not the diseases are related to Newmont's
\noperations in the area should be examined, preferably by an
\nindependent team approved by Newmont, NGOs and the government.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/newmont-ngos-in-dispute-while-people-suffer-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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