Legislator urges minister to halt Newmont's tailing disposal

A legislator urged on Friday State Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf to stop gold mining company PT Newmont Minahasa Raya in North Sulawesi from disposing of its tailing to the sea.

Legislator Nur Hasan made the statement following Sonny's earlier remarks that the tailing disposal to the sea was illegal.

"(The company) has an environmental impact analysis (AMDAL) document but it does not include the tailing," Sonny earlier said.

Hasan asked Sonny to take stern actions against Newmont.

"If the State Ministry of Environment said it was illegal, don't let it happen. Why not taking an action? What's the matter?" he was quoted as saying by Antara news agency. (*)