Newmont on trial for polluting water

[justinsb]

Newmont on trial for polluting water

An American heading the Indonesian branch of the world's largest gold producer is put on trial on charges of polluting a bay.

The Indonesian government says Newmont Mining Corp dumped mercury and arsenic-laced pollutants into the Buyat Bay on Sulawesi island and is holding Richard Ness, a native of Ada, Minnesota, responsible.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $68,000. 

Ness, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, smiled to reporters as he entered the courthouse in the North Sulawesi capital of Manado, 2000km northeast of Jakarta on Friday.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/B5DF22A0-8B32-41DF-A5FF-2C3043AD18E7.htm