Newmont says criminal charges baseless

Newmont Mining Corp., the world's biggest gold miner, told the Manado District Court on Friday that the criminal charges laid against Richard Ness, the chairman of the company's local unit, were baseless, Antara reported.

Ness, 55, faces charges of environmental damage that could lead to a 10-year prison term if convicted.

The charges relate to PT Newmont Minahasa Raya's tailing disposal processes, which allegedly polluted nearby Buyat Bay, causing health problems among local villagers.

Newmont denies the charges, saying that the policeinvestigation had failed to include environmental experts and that evidence favoring Newmont had not been included in the 72-page indictment.

"The case is legally flawed," Newmont's defense lawyer Luhut Pangaribuan told a panel of five judges presided over by Ridwan Damanik. "The indictment must be thrown out as it is vague, unclear and incomplete," he added.

The trial was adjourned until Sept. 1. (*)