PT NMR Company Profile Environmental Monitoring Program Buyat Bay Water and Fish Sampling & Analysis The Gold Extraction Process

Community Development Community Health Facts about Mercury Buyat Bay Case Timeline and Summary of Legal Actions

Newmont's future is dependent on its ability to develop, operate and close mines while fulfilling our commitment to sustainable development, protection of human life, health, the environment, and to adding value to the communities in which we operate.

In Buyat Bay, PT NMR began operating in 1996 and ended operation in August 2004. Prior to the mine's opening, the Government of Indonesia selected submarine tailings as the best method of disposing tailings. The Government then issued a disposal permit with specific reporting requirements. PTNMR tested, analyzed, and reported detailed monitoring data on water, fish, and disposed materials.

The people, fish, and water in Buyat Bay have been extensively assessed by independent agencies and PT NMR. Test results show metals levels safer than Indonesian and international safety standards for the issues being tested.

• Indonesian Ministry of Environment study found safe levels of arsenic and mercury in fish and water (October 2004). The report noted elevated levels of ferrous arsenate in the sediment at the disposal site, which was expected as a normal part of disposal. Ferrous arsenate is a stable compound and tests of water demonstrate that dissolved arsenic is far below the standard and comparable to nearby areas.
  
• UN World Health Organization and Minamata Institute of Japan found safe levels of mercury in fish and local people (August 2004).
  
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Association found safe levels of arsenic, mercury, and other heavy metals in fish and water (August 2004).
  
• Sam Ratulangi University health survey documented that local health problems in Buyat Pantai resulted from poor hygiene and nutrition, not from exposure to heavy metals (2004).
  
• Indonesian Ministry of the Environment Technical Team report used data which showed that no heavy metals pollution occurred in Buyat Bay (October 2004).
  
• In a media statement issued by a Health Audit Team assembled by the University of Indonesia at the direction of the Indonesian Ministry of Health on May 6, The Chairman of the Team, Professor Haryoto Kusnoputranto (of the University of Indonesia) said: "There was no sufficient evidence to conclude that the prevalence of several diseases (neuropathy, lipoma and dermatitis) in the study area was caused by the heavy metals of Hg (mercury), As (arsenic) and Sb (antimony)."
  
• Top Indonesian academics from the University of Indonesia (UI), the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), University of Padjajaran Bandung (UNPAD), Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), University of Gadjah Mata (UGM), Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Sam Ratulangi University (UNSRAT) and the University of Manado (UNIMA) presented their research findings and conclusions at an International Seminar held in Manado on May 9 and 10. In regards to Buyat Bay, they concluded: "There has never been any scientific evidence showing that environmental pollution has occurred".

Human health is an important issue to Newmont. Our operations depend upon healthy employees and healthy communities where we live and work. We make significant investments in this area. We believe the real story of Buyat Bay is a story of how good business practices bring benefits to communities, provide long-term economic possibilities, and allow for recovery and restoration of the mine environment.