US Mining Company Goes on Trial in Indonesia for Pollution
Zulima Palacio
Aug 6, 2005 Bangkok - A branch of the world's largest gold mining company has
gone on trial in Indonesia on charges that it polluted the waters of an
Indonesian island, causing health problems for nearby residents. The case
is being watched closely by both environmental groups and foreign investors.
The trial of the Indonesian subsidiary of U.S.-based Newmont Mining Company
opened Friday in Manado, the capital of Sulawesi province, 2,000 kilometers
northeast of Jakarta.
Chief Prosecutor Robert Ilat read the indictment, which accuses the company
of polluting the waters of Bulat Bay near the mine on Sulawesi island. The
company director, American Richard Ness, is also charged, and faces up to
10 years in prison if convicted.
Mr. Ilat told reporters that Friday's hearing was only the beginning.
"With respect to the hearing, the prosecutor is confident that there is
a violation of the law but, again, it's subject to the court process," he said.
The prosecution charges that Mr. Ness's company poisoned the bay with
mercury and arsenic, causing local villagers to fall ill with skin and
nerve diseases. Indonesian news media have reported in the widely publicized
case that some 30 villagers died.
However, Mr. Ness denies that the company caused any pollution, and his
spokesman, Rubi Purnomo, told VOA he is confident of being acquitted.
"Based on all the science, over 10 studies, 10 independent studies,
that have been done over there, we believe that there is no pollution."
The company, which operated the mine from 1996 until last year, says studies
by the World Health Organization and the Indonesian government also showed
no pollution. It says any disease was due to pollution caused by illegal
miners or poor sanitation practices.
The case is being closely followed by Indonesian environmental groups, who
accuse the government of ignoring environmental destruction by wealthy corporations.
Foreign investors, who already complain of corruption and slow government
bureaucracy, say a conviction could affect their future plans in Indonesia.
Source: Voice of America
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