Newmont sued by resident over land dispute

A resident of the West Nusatenggara province has filed a lawsuit against mining firm PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT) at the Sumbawa Besar District Court for allegedly taking over his land, Bali-based Bali Post daily reported Thursday.

The resident identified as Jhony Hartono claimed the mining company had illegally appropriated some of his land in Buin Batu, Sengkongkong district, Sumbawa Regency.

He said that he initially bought 50.78 acres of land from a man named Mansur for Rp 1.5 million on August 1, 1996. But then, after being measured, he discovered that the size of his land was only 30.36 acres. He suspected that the 10.27 acres had been taken over by NNT.

"Without my knowledge the company had seized the land. In addition, a 97-meter long hedge has also been appropriated," Jhony told the daily on Wednesday.

Jhony was demanding Rp 107.75 million (US$=Rp 11,300) in compensation, considering that the 10.27 acres of land had been occupied by NNT since 1997.

NNT public relations manager Anton Susanto said that Newmont had always abided by regulations and would continue to do so. He said he believed that the suit would be settled legally.

NNT has appointed lawyer IGB Made Arnaya to represent it in the court battle. (*)