Witness testifies in favor of Newmont

MANADO, North Sulawesi: The Environmental Impact Analysis (Amdal) commission at the mines and energy ministry approved the installment by PT Newmont Minahasa Raya of its undersea tailings outlet pipe in Buyat Bay, a witness testified here on Friday.

The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) was on the commission that gave the approval, said Siegried Lesiasals, who chaired Newmont's Amdal formation team.

Speaking at the pollution trial of the U.S.-based mining firm at the Manado District Court, he said officials from the Office of the State Minister of the Environment were also on the Amdal commission.

Lesiasals said his team had 16 experts from various backgrounds on it.

The government's Amdal commission, he added, had surmised that disposing of the tailings on land posed a bigger risk than disposing of them in the sea.

Newmont has been charged with polluting Buyat Bay following complaints by local residents. --JP