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The Indonesian government has sued Newmont Mining Corporation for $133 million over alleged pollution near one of its gold mines.
The Indonesian subsidiary of the American mining giant faces charges that it released waste and heavy metals into the air and water at Buyat Bay in northern Sulawesi province. Newmont's American president also faces charges in the suit.
A lawyer for the mining company says Jakarta's case is baseless.
Tests on the bay's water have produced conflicting results. Two studies indicated no pollution in the bay. However a subsequent government probe reported elevated arsenic levels.
Newmont has admitted releasing mercury into the environment at the gold mine, but denies that it sickened local people.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
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