Newmont asked not to leave environmental problem in N Sulawesi

PT Nemont Minahasa Raya (NMR), which will soon close its mining contract in North Sulawesi, has been urged not to leave the environmental problem in the province, Manado Pos daily reported on Monday.

According to mining advisory group Jatam, the mining company has not yet made any concrete plan on its rehabilitation program on its former mining areas in Minahasa, North Sulawesi. ?It looks like that the company will leave its mining areas as they are,? the group was quoted as saying.

Jatam said that Newmont should not be allowed to leave the province without the rehabilitation of its former mining areas.

Newmont will end its mining concession in the area by the end of this year and will then close the gold mines due to the depletion of the gold reserves. However, Jatam said almost all of its mine locations in Masei, Nibong, Leons, Limpnega, Mona Iloa and Pasolo are still left open.

Large open pits, measuring 700 meters in length, 500 meter in width and 250 meter in depth, have not been covered, Jatam said. (*)