Ministry of Energy appeals for the release of Newmont executives

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has appealed for the release of the five executives of gold mining company PT Newmont Minahasa Raya (NMR) now under the police's custody for allegedly involved in the Buyat case, Republika reported on Saturday.

The director for the special crime at the National Police, Brig. Gen, Suharto acknowledged on Friday that the ministry had sent a letter to formally ask the release of the five Newmont executives.

"The ministry wants the release of the five executives because their presence is needed for the preparation for the closure of the mining company," Suharto said. He added that the request would be considered if their presence would be really needed in preparing the company's mine closure.

The Newmont executives include William Long, David Sompie, Putra Wjyati, Jerry Koujansow and Putra Wijatri. Company president Richard Ness is not detained due to his poor health condition.

The operation of NMR's submarine dumping ground in the Buyat bay had been again under the public's spotlight after a number of residents living near the disposal area were reportedly to have suffered ailment syndrome similar to the deadly Minimata diseases suffered by Japanese people living near the heavily polluted Minimata bay. There has been accusations that the disease were caused by mercury and arsenic materials disposed by the company.

But Minister of Environment and Minister of Health, both, said that the mercury and arsenic content in the sea near the tailing dumping site were still below the minimum limit, and that the disease suffered by the residents were merely common skin disease.(*)