Witnesses testify against Newmont

MANADO, North Sulawesi: The court trial on the alleged pollution of Buyat Bay here was resumed on Friday in Manado with a panel of judges listening to four witnesses' testimonies.

In the trial, the four witnesses testified they suffered from skin diseases when they lived near Buyat Bay. The witnesses now lived in Duminangga area, located far from the bay. The witnesses said PT Newmont Minahasa Raya had dumped tailings into the bay, leading to pollution.

The testimony incriminated defendant Richard Ness, an executive of PT Newmont Minahasa Raya held responsible for the alleged pollution of the Bay.

However, lawyers of PT Newmont Minahasa Raya, Palmer Situmorang and Luhut Pangaribuan, said the charges were baseless. They said none of the doctors questioned had linked the diseases with the tailings produced by PT Newmont Minahasa Raya.

The trial has been adjourned to November 18. -- JP