Newmont demands police to stop Buyat investigation

Gold mining firm PT Newmont Minahasa Raya (NMR) has demnded the police to halt an investigation into the alleged pollution of Buyat Bay, North Sulawesi, after Jane Pangemanan retracted claims she made against the firm on Feb. 3, the Investor Daily Indonesia and The Jakarta Post newspapers reported in their Tuesday edition.

Newmont lawyer Luhut Pangaribuan said on Monday that with the retraction, all investigation into the case should be halted and all charges dropped.

Jane, who earlier accused NMR of polluting the bay and causing illness to some villagers, said her accusations against the U.S.-controlled firm in the middle of last year were premature due to lack of scientific evidence.

The police had used Jane's report as a basis for their investigation against NMR.

Brig. Gen. Suharto of the National Police said the retraction would not affect the case since the alleged pollution was not a general offense that required a complaint, but a specific environmental criminal act. (*)