Newmont, NGOs in dispute while people suffer
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Minahasa
Is Buyat Bay in Minahasa, North Sulawesi contaminated with mercury and arsenic? The answer depends on who is asked.
If you ask PT Newmont Minahasa Raya (MNR), a mining company that has disposed of its tailings in the bay since starting operation in 1996, the answer would be a resounding "no".
But if you ask non-governmental organizations (NGOs), either in North Sulawesi's capital Manado or Jakarta, the answer would be a reverberating "yes".
In the meantime, Buyat residents, who earn a living from fishing, continue to suffer from various illnesses, including skin ailments, lumps and excruciating headaches.
Ever since reports of alleged Minamata disease in Buyat Bay hit headlines in local and national media early last month, activists and Newmont have engaged in a war of words.
Interestingly, both Newmont and NGOs claim to possess the most legitimate scientific reports to support respective stances.
Citing research conducted by Sam Ratulangi University in Manado, Newmont showed that mercury concentration in seawater at sampling areas was below Indonesia's standard for dissolved mercury of 6 ppb (part per billion). The report was submitted to the Office of the State Minister of the Environment on May 28.
NGOs, on the other hand, cited a report published by the Environmental Impact Monitoring Center (Pusarpedal), which suggested that Buyat Bay was highly contaminated with mercury and arsenic.
According to the report, the arsenic level in Buyat Bay sediment near Newmont's tailings pipe outlet was recorded at 1,831 parts per million (ppm) in 2004, up from 1,000 ppm in 2001, far above the 7.24 ppm Canadian government standard. The mercury level, according to the report, reached 3,509 ppm in the bay.
The conflicting scientific claims have left members of the public, who have kept a keen eye on headlines for updates on events around the bay, with more questions than answers.
The government, which has tried hard to attract foreign investment in the country, has surprisingly opted to focus its investigation on whether or not any Buyat residents have Minamata disease.
Citing a test by a team of doctors from the University of Indonesia, Gajah Mada University and Sam Ratulangi University on four Buyat residents, Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi said on Friday the residents did not have Minamata disease as previously reported.
The blood samples of the four Buyat residents revealed that the level of mercury in their blood ranged between 9.51 u/L and 23.90 u/L.
"Thus, it's clear that the four Buyat residents do not suffer from Minamata disease," said Suyudi.
According to the Minamata Institute in Japan, a person can be suspected of having Minamata disease if the level of mercury in his/her blood is at least 200 microns per liter (200 u/L).
He did, however, acknowledge that there was mercury in the blood samples of the four.
"What are the implications? Is it dangerous? That's what we're currently examining. The results are not out yet," he told the media.
Nonetheless, he said that he was deeply concerned for all Buyat residents and would thus provide them with free food and medical care.
"For all Buyat residents, the Ministry of Health will send a team to help them with free medical treatment and provide them with free food," said Suyudi.
As for the 15 Buyat residents currently in Jakarta, Suyudi said that he would ensure that they were well taken care of during their stay in Jakarta and up to their safe return to Buyat.
Indeed, regardless of what Newmont, NGOs or the government say about the level of mercury and arsenic in Buyat Bay, it is clear that people in the area are suffering from various diseases.
Whether or not the diseases are related to Newmont's operations in the area should be examined, preferably by an independent team approved by Newmont, NGOs and the government.