NHM responds
NHM responds
In reply to your article NGOs urge Australian firm to stop
mining in Halmahera in The Jakarta Post on Dec. 24, 2003. PT Nusa
Halmahera Minerals (PT NHM) is pleased to read that your article
is accurate in reporting that PT NHM has all necessary approvals
in place to undertake the mining activities as in the Contract of
Work (COW) between the Republic of Indonesia and PT NHM agreed to
in 1997. Regretfully, this is the limit of accuracy.
Jhon Dijimangele and Ikono Djambak are self-appointed leaders
of a group of illegal miners masquerading as traditional
landowners, conservationists or environmentalists. Both these men
are known to have been among the leaders of the recent illegal
miner occupation of PT NHM's gold mine between Oct. 23, 2003 up
to Nov. 30, 2003.
In MinergyNews on Nov. 3, 2003, Dijimangele states that his
group are mining, processing and selling gold. This group mined
gold ore from PT NHM's Contract of Work and transported the ore
to trommels in nearby villages where mercury is used to extract
Gold from the ore. The use of mercury is known to cause damage to
health and the environment when used in this manner. PT NHM and
the provincial government of North Maluku are actively
encouraging the removal of these trommels.
PT NHM is well supported by the local community and this was
confirmed recently by Tim Pelaksana Pusat Penanggulangan
Pertambangan Tanpa Izin -- Executive Team of the Center for
Handling Illegal Mining (TP3 PETI) in an extensive independent
review. The local community made it clear they supported PT NHM
and wanted the company to continue operations. Tim TP3 made a
recommendation to the provincial government and the Regional
Police of Maluku for the lawful removal of Dijimangele and his
group from PT NHM.
It is public information in the local community that PT NHM
has been an active contributor to the community and has spent Rp
17 billion in the Community Development program, particularly in
education and health.
JOHN BLAKE
General Manager
PT. Nusa Halmahera Minerals
Jakarta