Newmont declines pollution allegation in N. Sulawesi

Copper and gold mining company PT Newmont Minahasa Raya declined allegations that it had polluted seawaters in Buyat and Ratatotok villages, North Sulawesi.

Newmont said in a press release on Tuesday that a number of studies at Buyat Bay have been conducted by independent bodies such as Directorate of Environmental Health of Department of Health, LIPI?s National Oceanography Agency, Environmental Impact Controlling Center of the Environmental Ministry, National Commission for Human Rights, Department of Dermatology of the Medical Faculty of the province's University of Sam Ratulangi (UNSRAT).

?The studies did not show any indication of pollution at Buyat Bay or existence of health risks to the community,? Newmont said, adding that the studies were generally financed the respective agencies.

Last week, around 100 protesters held a rally at the office of the North Sulawesi provincial governor to demand Newmont provide compensation for local villagers affected by the alleged pollution.

The protesters said Newmont?s tailings had affected the seawaters in Buyat and Ratatotok villages, killing area fish and causing villagers fall ill.

Newmont said the skin disease survey conducted among the people living in the villages by the Department of Dermatology, the Medical Faculty of UNSRAT proved that the skin diseases existing in the region was not caused by mercury, arsenic, or other heavy metal.

"Rather they constitute skin diseases normally existing in North Sulawesi such as dermatitis, scabies, pyoderma and others," it said.

It also said the land compensation demanded by ex-land owners had been examined by the District Court of Tondano and the High Court of Manado. Both have turned down the demand.

Newmont started operating its copper and gold mine in Ratatotok in 1996 and is now in the stage of closing down the mine. (*)