Newmont Hq to investigate alleged pollution in Indonesia

An executive of Newmont Mining Corp. headquarters in Denver, Colorado, is to investigate allegations that its subsidiary in Indonesia has polluted North Sulawesi's Buyat Bay, The Jakarta Post reported on Wednesday.

"Dr. Chris Anderson, Newmont executive for communication and external relations, has confirmed the launch of an investigation into Buyat Bay either in August or September," said Paula Palmer, director of Global Response, a Colorado-based non-governmental organization concerned with the environment.

Palmer said Anderson would meet with Buyat Bay villagers who have reportedly contracted Minamata disease, a neurological condition caused by mercury poisoning.

"Anderson confirmed the investigation would take place after pressure from Global Response on executives at the Newmont central office," she said.

Palmer also said Global Response hailed the government's plan to investigate PT Newmont Minahasa Raya following reports that its operation had caused Minamata disease among villagers in Minahasa district, North Sulawesi.

A report by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment said at least 30 people, including an infant, of Ratatotok village had died of Minamata disease, contracted from water and fish taken from the bay near Newmont's area of operation.

Meanwhile, State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim said on Monday that the waters of Buyat Bay, where Newmont dumps its tailings, was not contaminated.

After a meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri at the State Palace, Nabiel said the arsenic and mercury content in fish from the bay was found to be below the hazardous level.

He noted that despite the absence of any indication of pollution in the area, the government would continue to look into the cause of Minamata disease among bay residents. (*)