N. Maluku residents stop gold mining firm's operation

North Maluku-based gold miner PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (NHM) has been forced to stop its operation after a group of residents closed the access roads to the company's area in Halmahera island, Antara news agency reported.

Over a hundred of protesters have made the blockade against the company since Friday demanding the company to carry out community development in line with their own plans, and to hire local people, the news agency said.

Protesters also surrounded NHM's port in Tanjung Baranabas nearby preventing the company's workers to carry out shipment activities.

A number of policemen have come to the location but are unable to stop the protests.

The company's executives are not available for comment.

Australian mining firm Newcrest Mining Ltd Newcrest holds 82.5 percent equity in NHM, which runs the gold mine, while state miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, holds the remaining 17.5 percent.

Earlier, in quarterly report Newcrest reported that production in October-December 2007 period from its Gosowong mine in Halmahera island reached 88,854 ounces, lower than previous quarter?s production of 105,355 ounces. (*)