Government Asked to Reconsider Extension of Newmont's STD License
Published by MAC on 2005-03-15
Government Asked to Reconsider Extension of Newmont's STD License
15 March, 2005
Rinaldi D Gultom
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The government has been asked to reconsider the request by PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (NNT) for the extension of its license for tailing waste disposal using submarine tailing disposal (STD) technology in the waters of Sumbawa Island.
NNT had in fact submitted its application for a new license on March 1. "Based on the principles of caution, STD technology cannot be used anymore," said Siti Maimunah, Coordinator of the Mining Advocacy Network during a joint press conference with the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) held on Monday (14/3).
According to Maimunah, the government should have learned from the effects of similar technology that caused pollution and health problems for the people of Buyat Bay.
This was especially so, she continued, bearing in mind the Buyat Case Integrated Team recommended that environment monitoring be carried out and the issuing of licenses for tailing waste disposal into the sea be reviewed.
In relation to this, the Mining Advocacy Network and Walhi issue three recommendations to be presented to the government, including a request for the government to review the license and renegotiation of the contract with NNT.