Australian firm’s Halmahera gold mining operation not disrupted

Mining activities of North Maluku-based gold miner PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (NHM) have continued normally despite this month’s bloody clash between its security forces and the local people, a government official told Petromindo.Com Wednesday.

"The company’s gold production on its Togurachi mine in North Halmahera will start soon," said Mahyudin Lubis, director of mineral resources and coal exploitation at Directorate of Geology and Mineral Resources.

The company's Toguraci gold output is estimated at 2,154 ounces next month, ramping up to 10,246 ounces in April, Mahyudin said.

One local resident was killed in a clash between NHM’s security guards and local tribe people on Jan 9. He was shot dead by a police officer during a rally held near the Toguraci mining site.

Halmahera’s tribal people had demanded the company to stop its mining activities on the Toguraci forest arguing that it was a traditional protected area.

NHM reportedly had refused the people’s demand on the ground that the Ministry of Forestry had allowed the firm resume the Toguraci project.

Australian mining firm Newcrest Mining Ltd Newcrest holds 82.5 percent equity in NHM, which runs the gold mine, while state miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, holds the remaining 17.5 percent. (godang)