Newmont's exploration in Dodo forests continues

Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT)'s exploration activities at the Dodo forests near its main mining site in Batu Hijau, West Nusa Tenggara continues as initially scheduled despite protests from local residents, Neraca daily reported on Tuesday.

Malik Salim, the assistant to the senior manager of NNT's external relations, said in Mataram, last week that the results of the exploration activities would be announced by the end of this year.

"If the new mining site is economically viable, the exploration will be continued. If not, the exploration activities in the Dodo forest area will be stopped," he said.

Malik acknowledged that many local residents had protested the company's exploration activities in the Dodo forest area due to the lack of information about the company's mining activities in the area. "Some of the villagers, for example, questioned if the exploration activities could cause earthquake," he said.

Newmont, which operates a massive gold and copper mining site in Batu Hijau, Sumbawa, has intensified its exploration activities as part of its expansion plan. One of the exploration activities is now being carried out in the Dodo forest area. (*)