Newmont, NGOs in dispute while people suffer

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.