Govt issues new permit for Newmont?s tailings

The directorate general of mineral and coal at ministry of energy and mineral resources said Wednesday that the environment ministry issued a new permit for copper and gold miner PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT) to continue dumping its tailings but would apply stricter standards to ensure that its tailings would not harm the environment or the health of people living nearby.

?The new permission was issued by the environment ministry. The company is allowed to dump its tailings into the bay but it isn?t allowed to contaminate the environment,? newly appointed director general for minerals and coal, Thamrin Sihite said.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh also said that the ministry would supervise how NNT managed its tailings after the local administration raised concerns that the company?s activities might hurt the environment.

He promised that the ministry would encourage NNT to comply with all regulations in its operation at the Batu Hijau gold and copper mine, including how it managed its waste.

?The company has shown a positive signal and will cooperate with the ministry and abide by all laws and regulations. We?ll monitor its activities closely,? he told reporters at a press briefing at his office in Jakarta.

The statement was made following a letter sent to NNT by the West Sumbawa regency administration stating that the company would no longer be allowed to dump tailings into an ocean trench in Senunu Bay starting on May 9 the day after the company?s dumping permission expires. (*)