Wetar island badly polluted

AMBON, Maluku: People on Wetar Island near here have complained over the disposal of cyanide waste by a gold mining company, PT Prima Lirang Mining.

Head of the Lurang Village Moses said yesterday that the company has dumped toxic waste into a check dam near the village, polluted dug wells all throughout the area.

"The pollution has killed the fish in the river," he said to Antara, affecting the livelihood of the local people, most of whom are fishermen.

"Once the check dam is opened up to release the waste, many fish in the river and other marine resources on the coastal area are killed," he said.

Meanwhile, Lasmaida Siregar, head of the company's environmental affairs, denied reports that her company has disposed of toxic waste in the river.

"We have built a 12-hectare pond to dispose of the waste. It is impossible that waste has intruded the river because all is well controlled and monitored regularly," she said. (rms)