Wetar island badly polluted

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)