Newmont told to follow regulations when releasing workers

Copper and gold miner PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (PTNNT) has been advised to follow existing government regulations when it decides to lay off workers, Suara Karya daily reported Tuesday.

Sumbawa regency secretary Thamrin Rayes said the administration had yet to find out whether PTNNT, which operates a copper and gold mining concession in the area, was really planning to cut the number of its workers as rumored. Sumbawa is part of West Nusa Tenggara province.

?The company must follow government regulations whenever it plans to lay off its workers,? the paper quoted Thamrin as saying. He did not elaborate.

PTNNT had released some of its workers as part of its plan to reduce the number of its employees in Sumbawa. Its officials said the workers had quit the company voluntarily.

The company, operating the Batu Hijau copper and gold mine in Sumbawa, is 45 percent owned by U.S.-based mining giant Newmont Mining Corp, 35 percent owned by a consortium led by Japan?s Sumitomo Corp, and 20 percent by local investor PT Pukuafu Indah. (*)