Newmont halts Batu Hijau mining site operation
Thursday, August 4 2011 - 01:37 AM WIB
Public Relation Manager of the company, Rubi W. Purnomo, said the protesters were disappointed and complaining about the company?s fresh recruitment process.
?The road access to the mining site has been blocked by a number of people. Therefore, the company?s management decided to halt the operation. This is only for security reasons,? he said.
In a press statement, received by Petromindo.Com, the company said it is assessing the situation and the allegations of the protesters.
?We have listened to the complaints and allegations of the unsuccessful candidates and we need time to investigate these complaints and allegations and understand what has really happened,? said General Manager of Operations of NNT, David Lilley.
Allegations that have been passed onto PT NNT Management by the protesters and others include candidates making payments for guaranteed jobs, unfair quota distribution for some villages and letters written by various parties requesting preferential treatment for some candidates.
?We will investigate the allegations and work with our communities to ensure an acceptable and fair process is implemented as soon as practical,? said David Lilley.
In response to the complaints, the management has decided to halt the recruitment process. The company?s management hopes the protesters will return to their homes and operations can return to normal immediately, David said.
NNT has received more candidates than it needs. Therefore, it will not accept all the applicants.
?We have just 230 positions that we require and there were 5,500 applicants for those positions. Even when we have completed a fresh recruitment process, only 230 from 5,500 will be offered employment,? said David. (godang)