STD : Pro and Contra Continues The issue of Submarine Tailing Disposal (STD) was discussed again during a conference in Manado this week. A joint organised conference is being held on 23-30 April 2001 by the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) with several NGOs such as Walhi and Jaring Pela (Indonesia), Project Underground (US), and Mineral Policy Institute (Australia). In early April, PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara had also conducted a similar conference in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara. Although the topic is still controversial to various parties particularly stakeholders in the mining sector, Newmont has began to apply the method in its Minahasa site, North Sulawesi and the Nusa Tenggara site. The STD method has invited reactions from various parties, particularly the NGOs. Participants of the conference will consist of academics, community members, government, parliament, and NGOs from 15 countries. Jatam coordinator, Chalid Muhammad explained that through the international conference, both pro and contra participants will discuss together the facts that STD is still an issue in many countries. Chalid stated that the idea to hold the conference was due to the social and ecological impact of STD, which has never been handled seriously, whilst many countries in the Asia Pacific region insist on the usage of STD. Manado was chosen as host to the conference, said Chalid Muhamad, because North Sulawesi is the region where STD has been applied for the first time in Indonesia, since Newmont has been permitted to dispose of its tailing under the sea, which subsequently led many companies to begin considering STD as a waste disposal method. Chalid stated that mining companies namely Meares Soputan Mining (North Sulawesi), Weda Bay (Halmahera), Ingold (Haruku Island), BHP (Gag Island) Jember Metal and Banyuwangi Mineral (East Java), are also considering to use STD. ""If this happens then it will become a challenge and threat to the society, if we don't want a big disaster from the bottom of the sea"" he claimed. (Ad) for further information you could click www.miningindo.com Reported by : Addy Susilobudi ---- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
