K

UPANG: Catholic and Protestant figures in East Nusa Tenggara have urged the government and manganese mining companies to halt their operations for fear of causing damage to the environment.

Their statement came following an investigation into the impact of mining on both the environment and human populations. It said the mining practices were threatening thousands of children.

An investigation was carried out by a joint team comprising representatives from a number of churches and environmental activists.

Pastor Linda Kisek, in her presentation about human rights in relation to mining operations, detailed the impact from the mining upon ecological, economic, social and cultural concerns.

These activities, she said, have caused productive lands to shrink.