Indonesia Prosecutors Challenge Newmont Verdict

FROTH AND BUBBLE

Newmont, the world's largest gold miner, had always denied the charges, saying it disposed of toxins safely and levels of mercury and arsenic were within acceptable levels.

by Staff Writers
Jakarta (AFP) May 08, 2007
Indonesian prosecutors lodged an appeal Monday against last month's verdict that cleared US mining giant Newmont of dumping toxic waste into a pristine bay. "We have filed it to the Manado court," head prosecutor Purwanta told AFP. Purwanta said the appeal was filed to the court in Manado on Sulawesi island, and legal reasons for the challenge would be submitted to Indonesia's Supreme Court within two weeks.

"We will submit the document within 14 days after the appeal's registration," said Purwanta. Monday was the deadline for registering an appeal.

Prosecutors had vowed to challenge Newmont's acquittal over charges of pumping tonnes of waste including arsenic and mercury into Buyat Bay from its now defunct gold mine on Sulawesi island.

Prosecutors had wanted to jail company executive Richard Ness for three years in a high-profile case closely watched by international business leaders and environmental groups.

Ness and the company's Indonesian unit, PT Newmont Minahasa Raya, were also accused of damaging villagers' health and poisoning marine life.

Newmont, the world's largest gold miner, had always denied the charges, saying it disposed of toxins safely and levels of mercury and arsenic were within acceptable levels.

It had warned a guilty verdict would prompt it to reconsider investing in Indonesia, which is trying to lure foreign firms and overcome an international reputation for corruption and bureaucratic red tape.

Source: Agence France-Presse

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