Team takes samples from river allegedly polluted by Indominco?s waste

A special team formed by East Kalimantan provincial administration has conducted a laboratory examination to determine whether mercury from the mining location of PT Indominco Mandiri had contaminated the Santan River in Bontang as alleged by local villagers, the local daily Kaltim Post reported on Monday.

The team took water and soil samples on June 5-6. Members of the team include officials from the provincial administration, environmental office Bapedalda, and the offices of agriculture, mining, and research affairs.

Team member Medianton told the paper that the results of the laboratory examination might be ready this month.

Santan Ulu villagers had alleged that mercury from Indominco?s coal mining operations in Bontang had polluted the local river, and that they had not used the river water for their daily needs since 2001.

The Indominco management said recently that it would agree to compensate Santan villagers only if their allegations were based on laboratory evidences. The villagers had demanded compensation of Rp 35 billion (US$=Rp8,200). .

Indominco, wholly owned by Thai energy giant Banpu Plc, produces 3.5 million tons of coal annually. (*)