Villagers reject Aurora Gold mining operation

The people of the Batuputih area in North Bitung sub district, North Sulawesi province, called on the government not to reopen the gold mining operation of PT Meares Soputan Mining (MSM), a subsidiary of Aurora Gold Company.

The local Manado Post daily quoted the villagers as saying that the gold mining operation would pollute the local beach area and affect the economic living of the fishermen.

The paper also said that several non-governmental organizations would support the villagers to maintain the closure of the MSM operation. The paper didn't say when the mining operation was closed down and why.

MSM operates in the Minahasa area, but the pollution from the company's waste materials had affected the waters of the Batuputih beach.

There has been suspicion that the government is planning to reopen the MSM gold mining operation. (*)