Navy to examine foreign ships entering Newmont mining area

The Indonesian navy would examine all foreign ships entering the operating area of copper and gold mining company PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara in the West Nusa Tenggara province to prevent arms smuggling and protect the gold mine, a senior naval officer said on Wednesday.

Mataram naval base commander Col. Bramoyo Wibudy was quoted by Bali Post as saying that foreign ships were not free to enter Newmont's operating area because the area is not situated in the international sea-lanes.

Bramayo said he would operate a patrol boat, named KAL -XVI-28 F, in the Sumbawa and Lombok waters to prevent foreign ships from approaching Newmont's operating site.

He said the navy anticipated the possibility that the foreign ships would smuggle illegal goods into the area, including arms, which might destabilize security in the area around Newmont's mine.

"Newmont is a national asset and a vital object. We have to protect it," Bramoyo said while accompanying governor Harun Al Rasyid making an impromptu inspection on the Sumbawa and Lombok waters.

The areas are notoriously known as infested with smuggling activities but no smugglers were captured red handed during the impromptu inspection.

The governor and his entourage also made a brief visit on Newmont during the inspection. (*)