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US mine firm cleared of pollution US mine firm cleared of pollution
(about 1 hour later)
An Indonesian court has cleared a US mining executive and his company of dumping toxic wastes into a bay on Sulawesi, ending a 20-month trial. An Indonesian court has cleared a US mining executive and his company of polluting a bay on Sulawesi.
Richard Ness, 57, head of Newmont Mining's Indonesian subsidiary, faced a maximum 10-year sentence. Richard Ness, head of Newmont Mining's Indonesian subsidiary, faced a maximum 10-year sentence if found guilty.
The judge said waste rock dumped into the water by the now-defunct mine did not breach government safety standards. The 20-month trial began after local villagers said they had suffered tumours and skin diseases from toxic chemicals dumped into the water.
Local villagers said they had suffered tumours and skin diseases caused by mercury and arsenic poisoning. But the judge decided that the waste from the now-defunct mine did not breach government safety standards.
"We are very relieved," Robert Gallacher, the vice-president of the Indonesian arm of Newmont, told reporters.
"The people of Buyat Bay have suffered as a result of this accusation, and Rick Ness and his family have had an awful time," he said.
Investor confidence
The charges brought against Mr Ness and Newmont alleged that the company dumped dangerous levels of both mercury and arsenic into the waters of Buyat Bay.
Buyat Bay is about 2,000 miles north east of JakartaBut during the course of the trial several studies, including one backed by the World Health Organisation, found that levels of toxins in the water were well within local and international safety standards.
The evidence for the prosecution came largely from a police investigation, which has been criticised by some as badly managed and one-sided.
The not guilty verdict will mean a sigh of relief for foreign investors in Indonesia, according to the BBC correspondent in Jakarta, Lucy Williamson.
But many foreign companies say they still view Indonesia's legal system as chaotic and corrupt, our correspondent says.
New laws designed to clarify investor relations with the government have been stuck in parliament for years, she says.