Newmont denies masterminding block up of social activists in Sumbawa

Copper and gold miner PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (PTNNT) has denied allegations that it had incited West Nusa Tenggara villagers to hold up a group of people who were about to observe the condition of area communities affected by PTNNT?s activities.

PTNNT?s external relations senior manager Robert Humberson said they were not fully clear why villagers from Sekongkang had prohibited the social observers from coming into their area.

?Indeed, we had got information that local villagers were not happy with a certain group of people who had twisted facts about the situation in Sengkong in a seminar in Bali recently,? Humberson said in a statement made available for Petromindo.com on Wednesday. He did not elaborate.

Sekongkang, part of West Sumbawa District, is located near PTNNT?s gold mine.

Reports said some 20 villagers armed with machetes and sticks blocked a group of social activists from entering Sekongkang on June 12. They seized documents, cameras and other items from the outsiders who came to the area using four Kijang vans.

The social activists reportedly had reported the case to Jakarta-based Legal Aid Foundation YLBHI.

PTNNT had been involved in a land dispute with some local villagers over part of its concession area which measures for no less than 7,200 hectares.

The company said its mining area was covered by proper legal documents.

PTNNT is one of Indonesia?s major copper and gold producers.

US mining giant Newmont Mining Corp controls 56.25 percent interest in PTNNT, while Sumitomo Corporation of Japan holds 35 percent and an Indonesian company, PT Pukuafu Indah holds the remaining 20 percent. (Godang/Robert)