Newmont: Walhi must identify the source of the pollution

The management of PT Newmont Minahasa Raya (PT NMR) said today that any WALHI studies regarding alleged pollution in the area near the mine must identify the exact source of the pollution, if any is found. The statement comes on the heels of a report from the Government's Verification Team report that stated in its conclusion that among the many errors of the previous studies of alleged pollution, it was wrong for the studies to automatically assume that PT NMR's mining operation was the source.

"There are many possible sources of pollution in the area especially illegal mining activities," said PT NMR's President Director Rick Ness. "When studies are carried out in the future, it is imperative that the source of any pollution found is identified in order to avoid more unfounded allegations about our company's activities."

Ness went on to point out the testing that WALHI is rumored to be currently conducting must identify the exact source of any contamination they might find. Information from WALHI activists in Buyat Bay indicated that the NGO was preparing analysis of hair, fingernail and urine samples of the village's residents.

"We know for a fact that some of the residents of Buyat Bay work at illegal mining sites in the area. The question is, if the WALHI study finds that some of their samples show elevated levels of mercury or arsenic, were those samples obtained from people who work at or conduct their daily activities near illegal mining sites?" commented Ness. "If they haven't studied the daily habits of the people they have tested, then WALHI's testing cannot be considered valid or scientific. If they do know the background of the people they test, then they must fully disclose that information in front of the community. This is yet another example of how WALHI needs to improve its transparency procedures."

The company also reiterated its position that the environmental management programs at PT NMR are effectively managing any environmental impacts of the mine. The company conducts extensive testing of the water quality in Buyat Bay, the variety and abundance of fish in the area, as well as examining fish tissue samples to verify that the fish in the area are safe for human consumption.

"The issue of the environmental impact of mining is very complex. When information released by groups such as WALHI and JATAM is not transparent, inaccurate or not complete as it has been in the past, it serves no good in terms of the people's understanding of these important issues," said Ness.

Contact: Manado: Tri Harjono, 0431-851350; Jakarta: Iyo Salim/Ed Pressman, 021- 5721354 (*)