ABC AUSTRALIA, 20/03/2006, 22:37:44
Hundreds attack Indonesian mining facility
An lndonesian subsidiary of American mining firm Newmont says hundreds of people
have attacked one of its facilities on the island of Sumbawa.
The attack follows clashes in the province of Papua last week during protests to
demand the closure of a gold and copper mine run by another American firm,
Freeport-McMoRan.
Newmont spokesman Kasan Mulyono says the attack took place yesterday, but the
company had been warned and evacuated its workers.
Newmont Nusa Tenggara also mines for gold and copper.
Mr Mulyono says the attack destroyed about 80 per cent of the camp, some 60
kilometres east of the company's main site in Batu Hijau.
The Koran Tempo newspaper quotes police as saying three people were arrested
following the attack, which involved up to 500 people.
Last week, local residents blockaded a road leading to the mine and demanded
compensation, as well as involvement in exploration activities.
More arrests made
Indonesian police say they are holding 12 people as suspects in the deadly clashes
that erupted last week in Papua province.
Hundreds of protesters demanding the closure of the gold mine operated by a
subsidiary of US mining giant, Freeport McMoRan, clashed with security forces near
the regional capital Jayapura.
Five people were killed in the confrontation, including three paramilitary police.
A police spokesman says the suspects will face various charges, including inciting
enmity against the government, violence causing death or injury and illegal
possession of crude weapons.
© ABC 2005 |
