Local staff with PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara and residents of Batu Hijau in West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), where the company operates, are concerned over a rumor that the mining giant intends to close the company next year due to its inability to comply with one of the provisions in the Mining Law that requires mining companies to build smelters
ocal staff with PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara and residents of Batu Hijau in West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), where the company operates, are concerned over a rumor that the mining giant intends to close the companynext year due to its inability to comply with one of the provisions in the Mining Law that requires mining companies to build smelters.
'We have been following newspaper reports that say the company will be halting its operations here by early next year because it can't comply with the Mining Law. If this is true, we will lose our jobs,' said Abdul Aziz AR, a local staff member who is also head of the company's local employee association.
He said not only local staff were worried about the closure but also local residents, who have received donations and assistance from the company.
Newmont employs approximately 4,200 employees, around 80 percent of whom are local.
Newmont representative Rahmat Makassau said the company was currently negotiating with the government to seek the best possible solution.
'We can't build a smelter because we have no funding to finance the construction or its operations. Therefore, we are discussing this issue with the government regarding other possibilities,' he said.
Among the options discussed is the possibility of Newmont partnering with another company to build and operate a smelter.(dic)
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