N. Sulawesi bans illegal gold mining near River Talawaan

North Sulawesi authorities have decided to ban gold mining operations in areas near River Talawaan to avoid further pollution, local daily Manado Post reported on Monday.

Provincial governor AJ Sondhak had accepted proposals from the provincial environmental agency, Bapeldalda, that illegal goal mining activities near the river be stopped, the paper quoted Minahasa regency secretary RM Luntungan as saying over the weekend.

Luntungan said mercury from gold mining sites had polluted River Talawaan.

Gold mining activities are mostly found in Minahasa where gold miner PT Newmont Minahasa Raya operates. (*)