Newmont CEO returns to Indonesia amid deepening legal row: Report

Newmont Mining Corp. Chief Executive Wayne Murdy arrived in Indonesia on Wednesday, but isn't likely to directly tackle a deepening legal wrangle over alleged toxic waste contamination that's embroiled five executives of the firm's local unit, a company official said.

Murdy will likely instead use his access to government officials to stress Newmont's environmentally-friendly policies, Newmont's Vice President of Indonesian Operations, Robert Gallagher, told Dow Jones Newswires.

"He'll take advantage of sitting (in meetings) with (government) ministers by helping them understand Newmont's view of things like environmental protection and community development, Gallagher said.

"He'll certainly raise the issue...of how Newmont values the environment."

The five executives - an American, an Australian and three Indonesians - remain under investigation in a case of alleged toxic waste dumping from a Newmont mine into Sulawesi island's Buyat Bay.

But Gallagher's expectation of Murdy's low-key approach in addressing the legal dispute stands in contrast to an earlier visit in which he directly engaged the government on the issue.

Murdy lobbied Indonesian officials for the men's release during a previous visit in October. The five were freed Oct. 23 on the condition of "city detention" based on their city of domicile. (*)