Newmont's boss reported to US envoy for ignoring local tradition
Saturday, February 24 2001 - 04:30 AM WIB
Richard B. Neiss, the executive director of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara in West Nusa Tenggara has been reported to the American consulate general in Surabaya, Robert A Pollard for ignoring the local custom and tradition, Tempo Interaktif news portal reported on Saturday.
The local office of Walhi reported the copper and gold mine operator's boss to the American envoy for refusing to attend a seminar jointly held by the organization and a group of students from the University of Mataram to discuss environmental problem.
Senior official of the local Walhi branch Bambang Mei Finarwanto said that Neiss refused to attend the seminar due to his objection against Walhi's mining advocacy.
The seminar, which was held in Mataram on Thursday, discussed the impact of' mineral waste. Speakers at the seminar titled "Tailings are safe to whom? Included Walhi's executive director Emmy Hafild, NTB Governor Harun Al Rasyid.(*)