Rivers, estuaries and a national park, which is a world heritage site, in the West Papua province of Indonesia are being polluted by mining in the area, says the mining company's own risk-assessment report.
Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc's report was leaked to an environment group, Walhi, or Friends of the Earth Indonesia. It disclosed that the company was dumping a billion tonnes of tailings -- mine waste -- into surrounding rivers, polluting forests and river systems with heavy metals such as copper and arsenic and endangering species. The report also claims the tailings were polluting the Lorentz National Park in the province.
"Freeport has known all along that their operation is endangering the environment but they haven't done anything," says Walhi spokesman Torry Kuswardono. The Freeport mine has long been accused of unfairly profiting from concessions given by the discredited and corrupt Suharto regime.
Indonesia's House of Representatives has also indicted Freeport on charges of pollution and lack of transparency.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.