NGOs demand re-mapping of Newmont site

Non-governmental organization in West Nusatenggara have demanded the government to remap the concession areas of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT) to ensure that the company's mining operation would not affect the Selalu Legini conservation area, Bali Pos reported on Wednesday.

Branches of LP3S and Walhi research and environmental groups said on Tuesday that the re-mapping of the United States-based mining company's operation in the province was essential to find out the ideal limit of the company's mining areas so that the environment in the conservation area would not be damaged.

Suhardi Suryadi and Bambang Mei Finarwanto, representatives of the two organizations in West Nusatenggara, said that the Selalu Legini conservation area, which keeps the world's rare animal and plant species should be protected.

The Batu Hijau gold mine concession awarded to Newmont in 1999 shares a border with the 51,949 hectare - Selalu Legini conservation. The United Nations recommended in 1982 to protect the conservation area from any human activities.

The mining company started its commercial operation last year but it has yet to establish a plant to process the gold ores. (*)