Blood tests show existence of toxic substance in Newmont's dumping site

Blood tests recently carried out by environmental group Walhi has indicated the accumulation of toxic substance such as arsenic in Newmont Minahasa Raya's undersea dumping ground in the Buyat bay, North Sulawesi, Telegraf reported from Manado Saturday. Walhi's deputy director Suwiryo Ismail said on Friday that the Colorado-based mining company should be responsible for the pollution it caused in the Buyat Bay because the recent blood tests carried out on residents living near the bay indicated the accumulation of toxic arsenic in the bay.

He said that samples of blood taken from 20 people under the survey had been contaminated with arsenic. The laboratory tests indicated that the dumping site, where Newmont dumped its tailings, had been polluted by hazardous materials. In the long run, the pollution could threaten the lives of the local people, he added.

Newmont Minahasa Raya, a gold operator based in North Sulawesi, has demanded Walhi to further clarify its result of the blood tests.

The mining company said that the clarification was necessary to determine the validity of the report, which had caused uncertainty and fears among residents living near the Buyat Bay and Rotatok sub-district, located near its mining operation in Minahasa, North Sulawesi.

Newmont said according to the study of the local experts, the blood tests made by Walhi was not valid because it was not based on a scientific procedure. (*)