An independent team to study Buyat Bay environmental destruction called for

The North Sulawesi Legislative Council speaker Syarial Damapoli has called for the establishment of an independent team to investigate environmental destruction at Buyat Bay allegedly caused by gold mining firm PT Newmont Minahasa Raya (NMR). The team should be formed by the North Sulawesi administration in cooperation with the company, Newmont, Syarial said.

He also suggested that Newmont be required to set aside US$5 million of fund to be allocated to rehabilitate the alleged environmental destruction at Buyat Bay.

He contended that such independent study was necessary because people at Buyat Bay were still confused over the differences of opinion among the government, the company and the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) over the alleged environmental destruction at Buyat Bay.

"This is important because thus far the people are still confused about the result of studies over environmental destruction resulted from tailing waste disposal from PT NMR," Syarial said.

Walhi, in one hand, accused Newmont of causing environmental destruction at Buyat Bay, on the other hand, Newmont argued that based on its study, the company did not create any environmental destruction at the Bay.

"As a representative of the people, I myself is confused. Thus, there must be an independent team that uses sophisticated instruments to conduct a study once again to investigate the environmental impacts (of Newmont tailing disposal)," Syarial said.

Syarial added that Newmont should be required to set aside US$5 million of funds that could be used to rehabilitate the environmental destruction caused by Newmont as this company would be leaving its mining operation in North Sulawesi in year 2003.

Separately, the head of North Sulawesi Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bappedalda), Bonie Sopie, said that the government was constrained with lack of funds to rehabilitate environmental destruction in North Sulawesi, including at Buyat Bay.

Meanwhile, Newmont spokesman Try Haryono maintained that based on its own study, the company's tailing disposal to Buyat Bay did not create any environmental destruction to the area. Nevertheless, Try was cautious and said that the company would consider demands to establish an independent team to conduct an independent study.

Try also noted that the company would also consider a demand for the company to set aside $5 million fund for environmental rehabilitation. But it needs the approval of Newmont management. (*)