Waste dumped in Aikwa river

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The provincial Jaya administration has decided to allow PT Freeport Indonesia, a copper mining company, to dispose of its waste into the Aikwa river in the Mimika subdistrict, Fak-Fak regency.

Antara reported yesterday that the administration made the decision after it examined and, subsequently, approved of the company's plan for its tailings management. The plan was prepared by the company's team of experts.

The company's spokesman, Soerya Atmadja, said it has taken steps to reclaim the surrounding forests. It has also allocated US$23.4 million to construct a tailings dam in order to avoid a repetition of the huge floods that hit the area a few years ago.

Only last week, the legislative council of Fak-Fak demanded that Freeport stop dumping its waste into the Aikwa River, which it claims has contributed to the destruction of 3,000ha of forest. (imn)