Three expert witnesses testify at Newmont?s court hearing

Three expert witnesses including state administration expert Prof. Dr. Philipus M. Hadjon, mining expert Prof. Irwandy Arief and fisherman Jumadi testified during the State Administrative Court?s hearing on the legal suit filed by environmental organization WALHI against the extension of a permit for the operation of submarine tailings disposal (STD) at PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (PT NNT).

During the hearing, expert witness Philipus supported earlier statement made by Masnellyarti, the deputy environmental affairs minister that the extension of a permit for the operation of submarine tailings permits for PT NNT was in line with existing procedures and government regulations.

Philipus said that the environmental affairs minister had the right to issue the permit according to the existing regulations.

Second expert witness Irwandi said PT NNT had conducted about six to seven additional studies in order to be able to receive an extension of the permit for the operation of the submarine tailing disposal. ?The operation of the submarine tailings disposal is the best alternative for PT NNT, he told the court.

The submarine tailings disposal system has been used in many countries including in Britain, Prance, Chili, Norwegia and Turkey. ?The permits for the submarine tailings disposal in these countries have not been revoked,? he added.

Meanwhile, the third witness, fisherman Jumadi told the court that he had fished for many years around the sea area where the tailings were dumped but had never seen any tailing coming into surface. He also opposed WALHI?s statement that the operation of the submarine tailings disposal had caused a decline in the local fishermen?s catches.

Editing by Roffie Kurniawan