Newmont halts exploration activities in Ropang, NTB

PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NTT), a subsidiary of the American gold giant Newmont Mining Corporation, has halted its gold exploration activities in the Dodo area of the Rompang district, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) following protests from local residents, Koran Tempo reported on Tuesday.

NNT's senior manager for internal relations, David Palmer, said in Jakarta on Monday that the halt in the exploration was made to protect the company's workers from the anger of some 400 residents who illegally entered the base camp in the area to protest the exploration activities.

"The decision was made after the local residents threatened to stage a massive demonstration in the area," he was quoted as saying.

The Dodo site is part of NNT's massive gold mine site in Sumbawa regency, NTB. The company received the permit to explore gold exploration activities in the 3 hectare-Dodo area from the ministry of forestry.

The local people claimed the ownership of the Dodo area. During a meeting in February, this year, the locals demanded NTT to give trust funds worth Rp 5 billion in compensation of the area. In addition, the villagers also demanded royalties of Rp 500 million a year as part of the compensation.

NNT began its exploration in the Dodo area in January, this year, and since then the company has managed to complete 14 drilling points. (*)