Class action may be launched against amonium nitrate pollution in East Kalimantan river

A local non-governmental organization in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, called APKSA and the local water company may launch a class action against the pollution of the local Mahakam river by hazardous ammonium nitrate, which spilled out when the chemical materials were being unloaded at the Samarinda Port.

The Kaltim Post daily quoted Samarinda deputy mayor Syaharie Jaang as saying that his office were still waiting for evidence of misconduct.

It is not clear, however, if the class action would be against coal mining firm PT Indominco, which imported the material, or against company which handles the unloading of the material.

Some 480 million tons of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) spilled out into the local river last week.(*)