Leak forces Newmont to replace tailing pipeline

Gold and copper mining firm PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara is replacing its main tailing pipeline following leaks in the pipeline that is used to dump the firm?s tailings into the Senunu gulf in West Nusa Tenggara.

The firm promised to finish the replacement process by the middle of February, according to Minergy News.

?We don?t know exactly the cause of the leak? We suspect that pipeline is getting thinner due to the friction with the tailing sands,? company spokesman Kasan Mulyono.

Kasan said the company would form a team involving the manufacturer of the pipes, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Office of State Minister of Environment to investigate the incident.

Newmon is currently using the reserve pipeline to dump its tailing onto the seabed. (*)