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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| US mine firm cleared of pollution | US mine firm cleared of pollution |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| An Indonesian court has cleared a US mining executive and his company of polluting a bay on Sulawesi. | An Indonesian court has cleared a US mining executive and his company of polluting a bay on Sulawesi. |
| Richard Ness, head of Newmont Mining's Indonesian subsidiary, faced a maximum 10-year sentence if found guilty. | Richard Ness, head of Newmont Mining's Indonesian subsidiary, faced a maximum 10-year sentence if found guilty. |
| The 20-month trial began after local villagers said they had suffered tumours and skin diseases from toxic chemicals dumped into the water. | The 20-month trial began after local villagers said they had suffered tumours and skin diseases from toxic chemicals dumped into the water. |
| But the judge decided that the waste from the now-defunct mine did not breach government safety standards. | 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. | "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. | "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 | 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. | 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. |
| Some residents had claimed they had suffered skin damage | |
| Complaints from villagers living around the bay included headaches, skin rashes and tumours, which they claim arose from being in contact with mercury and arsenic dumped into the water. | |
| Tests on the water quality of the bay had differing results. | Tests on the water quality of the bay had differing results. |
| In 2004, a team led by Indonesia's environment ministry said that chemicals from the firm had contaminated sediment in the bay and entered the food chain. | In 2004, a team led by Indonesia's environment ministry said that chemicals from the firm had contaminated sediment in the bay and entered the food chain. |
| But 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. | But 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. |
| After weighing the evidence, chief judge Ridwan Damanik concluded that the pollution claims could not be proven. | After weighing the evidence, chief judge Ridwan Damanik concluded that the pollution claims could not be proven. |
| The result was greeted by cries of joy from Newmont employees. Mr Ness looked relieved but remained calm, although his wife and son burst into tears. | The result was greeted by cries of joy from Newmont employees. Mr Ness looked relieved but remained calm, although his wife and son burst into tears. |
| Buyat Bay is about 2,000 miles north east of JakartaAfterwards, Mr Ness simply told reporters: "I'm thrilled." | Buyat Bay is about 2,000 miles north east of JakartaAfterwards, Mr Ness simply told reporters: "I'm thrilled." |
| About 100 environmentalists and local villagers, gathered outside the court, were less pleased with the decision. | About 100 environmentalists and local villagers, gathered outside the court, were less pleased with the decision. |
| "This is unjust, this is unjust," villager Janiah Ompi told reporters. | "This is unjust, this is unjust," villager Janiah Ompi told reporters. |
| Prosecutor Jaksa Purwanta Sudarmadji said he planned to appeal the decision. | Prosecutor Jaksa Purwanta Sudarmadji said he planned to appeal the decision. |
| The not guilty verdict will be a sigh of relief for foreign investors in Indonesia, according to the BBC correspondent in Jakarta, Lucy Williamson. | The not guilty verdict will be a sigh of relief for foreign investors in Indonesia, according to the BBC correspondent in Jakarta, Lucy Williamson. |
| Newmont said last month it might reconsider its investments in Indonesia if its executive was found guilty, and other companies were also concerned. | |
| But many foreign firms say they still view Indonesia's legal system as chaotic and corrupt, our correspondent says. | But many foreign firms say they still view Indonesia's legal system as chaotic and corrupt, our correspondent says. |