PT Inco accused of causing pollution in S. Sulawesi

Dozens of people demonstrated at the Canadian Embassy Wednesday to protest alleged environmental pollution and human rights violation involving nickel mining firm PT International Nickel Indonesia (Inco), Detik.com news website reported.

The protesters, who claimed to represent several non-government organizations like Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi), Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) and Nusantara Traditional Community Alliance (Aman), asked the Canadian government to take strict action against PT Inco.

PT Inco operates nickel mines in Soroako, which is located in South Sulawesi?s Luwu regency.

They said many people in villages near PT Inco?s mining sites had suffered from cold and asthma due to air pollution caused by the company?s mining activities. Its projects had also caused damages to the Larona River and several lakes in Luwu, the demonstrators said.

The protesters said further that PT Inco had forced Soroako villagers to surrender their land to it.

Canadian embassy secretary Jennifer Hart met with the demonstrators, telling them that he would convey their message to the Canadian government.

PT Inco, one of the world?s largest nickel producer that started operation in Soroako in 1968, is a subsidiary of Canadian nickel giant Inco Limited. (*)