Walhi and Newmont to jointly establish monitoring team

Walhi, a noted environmental organization and PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara have agreed to establish an independent team to periodically monitor the impact of the company's gold and copper mining operation in Batu Hijau, Sumbawa on the environment.

In a press release issued on Saturday, the provincial chapter of the environmental organization said that the establishment of the monitoring team was an important breakthrough to end their dispute related to the impact of the company's operation in the province.

"It is a win-win solution," Bambang, an executive of Walhi's provincial chapter, told Tempo Interaktif in Mataram on Saturday about the agreement. He said that the team would periodically monitor the impact of the mining operation and its dumping site on the local communities and the environment.

Non-governmental organizations, including Walhi, have strongly criticized the gold and copper mine operator for causing pollution in the Sekongkong River. The company's undersea dumping site has also been accused of polluting the seawater in the Alas Strait. (*)