1. Manager Environment, PT. Nusa Halmahera Minerals, PO BOX 1650, Manado 95016.

1
HANDLING OF ACID ROCK DRAINAGE AT THE GOSOWONG WASTE
ROCKS DUMP
IN HALMAHERA ISLAND, NORTH MALUKU


Winarto Sudewo
1



ABSTRACT

PT. Nusa Halmahera Minerals holds Sixth Generation of Contract of Work with the
Government of Indonesia. The COW area is situated on Halmahera Island, North
Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province with remaining area of 29,622 ha.

The mining operation in Gosowong pit was commenced in July 1999 and ceased in May
2002 as well as the main waste rocks dump construction. The main waste rocks dump
was constructed using encapsulation method where the Potential Acid Forming (PAF) is
sealed with the Non Acid Generation (NAG) materials and clay to prevent any
introduction of water and oxygen. A settlement pond was constructed at the toe of the
dump to collect all surface run off and ground waters from the main waste rocks dump.

On the top layers, topsoil from the stockpiles was spread and planted with grass and
trees. The re-vegetation activities were completed in June 2002 and followed by
maintenance activities.

The water quality monitoring as part of the Quality Control (QC) in the encapsulation
method was set up as a program from the beginning of the Gosowong mine operation up
to present. The paper describes the evolution over time of the pH and conductivity,
acidity and alkalinity, Sulfate, Copper, Manganese, Iron and Zinc behaviors in the main
settlement pond during the construction of the waste rocks dump, and year 1 and 2 post
operation periods. The monitored results are compared to the water quality standard as
issued by the Government of the Republic Indonesia and as indication of successful or
failure of implementation of the encapsulation method.

INTRODUCTION

PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (PTNHM) has operated a gold mine using open pit
methods and produces gold and silver dore bullion in Gosowong, Halmahera Island,
North Maluku Province, since 1999. PT NHM operates the Gosowong project under a
sixth generation Contract of Work agreement with the Republic of Indonesia, which
was signed in April 1997. PTNHM is a PMA (foreign investment) company
incorporated in Indonesia and currently owned 82.5 % by Newcrest Mining Limited,
Australia, with remaining 17.5 % owned by Indonesia State Company, PT. Aneka
Tambang Tbk.

The area of the Contract of Work as determined by the Indonesia Government, is
located on Halmahera Island, North Maluku and Central Halmahera Regencies, North
Maluku Province and covers an area of 1,672,967 ha.
2

In 1998, 1999 and 2001, subsequent relinquishments reduce the CoW area to 29,622
hectares of Block I. Gosowong Mine is located on the northern peninsula of Halmahera
Island with the following coordinates:

109'05" North Latitude 12741'65" East Longitude

PT. NHM Gosowong Gold Mine area is situated in the Gosowong area, Tobobo
Village, Kao Sub-District, North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province.
Gosowong can be reached from Ternate by ferry (1.5 hours) or speed boat (30 minutes)
crossing the ocean to Sidangoli, a marine port at the West of Halmahera Island. From
Sidangoli another 2 hours land travel is required by light vehicle along the Trans
Halmahera to Gosowong Site.

Current Gosowong Mine exploitation area is about 1,600 hectares, where all mining
activities, processing, and supporting facilities such as housing, laboratory, workshop,
explosives magazine, airstrip, and Tanjung Barnabas Wharf are located.

Mining at Gosowong commenced in July 1999 and completed in May 2002. Total ore
mined was 1,248,000 tonne of ores grading an average 28 grams per tonne of gold and
30 grams per tonne of silver. Ore deposit in Gosowong area was within the volcanic
rock vein, from 240 m asl to 52.5 m asl.

The pit area occupied 13.8 hectares and with dimension 100 300 m wide and 500
meters long. The mines opening has been undertaken in such a way as to allow a 10.3:1
ratio of waste rock to ore.

Ore removal was conducted by open pit mining with blasting to strip the waste rock and
excavate the ores. After blasting, waste rock and ore are excavated and separated by
70-tonne and 100-tonne excavators and loaded into 35-tonne dump trucks. Ore was
transported to the ROM pad and stockpile at the processing plant, whereas the waste
rock was hauled to the Dufa-Dufa Valley (main waste rocks dump).

Ore milled at a rate of 624 tonnes per day to maintain consistency of processing
parameters, so that with the established feed rate the ore recovery rate was optimized.
The method selected for ore processing was cyanidation method.

The main product from the Gosowong processing plant was called Dore bullion (was
moulded at 400 ounces weight) a mixture of gold and silver alloy. This Dore bullion
then was sent to the precious metal purification plant owned by PT Aneka Tambang in
Jakarta. PT NHM was able to produce 400 kg of Dore bullion per week. The total
production during the 3-years mine-life of Gosowong pit was 22,958 kg Au and 22,906
kg Ag.

At the end of the mine operation, a void was formed from 52.5 mRL up to 92 mRL and
progressively filled with rain water and surface run off water during the wet season.
3
SELECTED METHOD

The total amount of waste rock which had been excavated was 12,090,000 tonnes and
transported to the waste rock dump in Dufa-Dufa valley during three years mine-life.
This valley is located next to the east of the mine pit, approximately 17.33 ha and at 24-
31 slopes. The original Dufa Dufa stream fell from above 130mRL to 80mRL over a
distance of 1 km, to where it joins the Tobobo River. The valley sides are formed by an
escarpment to the south and south east and a ridge of hills rising to 150mRL between
Dufa Dufa stream and the Tobobo River to the north. It was expected that this valley
able to contain 16 million bcm.

The waste rock contains 0.1 1.1 % sulphide mineral, consisting of pyrite (FeS2) and a
small amount of Chalcopyrite. Findings from geo-chemical and exploration studies
suggested that the waste rock can be divided into three types:

Type (I) potential acid forming:
Total sulphur = 1.16 % at ANC : APP = 0.63 ratio
Total material being 66.8% ~ 8.076 million tonne

Type (II) potential acid neutraliser:
Total sulphur = 0.86 % at ANC : APP = 1.12 ratio
Total material being 19.1% ~ 2.309 million tonne

Type (III) non acid forming:
Total sulphur = 0.34 % at ANC : APP = 2.75 ratio
Total material being 14.1% ~ 1.704 million tonne

ANC = Acid Neutralising Capacity
APP = Acid Producing Potential

Two methods were available to be chosen as advised in the feasibility study of
Gosowong Gold Project, to avoid acid production at the waste rock dump, i.e.:
1. Rock mixing type I with Type II and III Rocks
2. Implementation of the encapsulating method

The mixing method is the easiest one but not the most effective. Given local conditions,
which include high precipitation, physiographic characteristics and material availability
PT NHM has decided to dump the waste rocks by using the encapsulation method.

ENCAPSULATION METHOD

The main method to control acid mine drainage (AMD) was through the use of isolation
and encapsulation. Pyrite will be the most abundant sulfide bearing mineral mined.
Therefore, construction of oxygen barriers to encapsulate acid generating waste rock
within the waste dump was considered to be most reliable (environmentally) and
efficient (for the operation).

Before transportation to the waste rock dump, the waste rock is classified using the
NAGpH (Net Acid Generation pH) method. In constructing the waste rock dump, the
4
waste rock with high potential for acid generation is placed in the middle of the
dumping layer, and then encapsulated with a clay layer to prevent water and oxygen
penetration. A layer of material that does not produce acid is placed over the clay layer
to prevent erosion and protect the clay layer for the long-term.

The waste rock was thereafter dumped separately according to their types. Type 1
containing sulphide rocks have been placed in the core zone. One-meter thick barrier
zone consisting of cohesive clay has been placed around the Type I rocks to protect
against rainwater and oxygen. The clay was taken from the mining pit location and the
waste rock pile. Type II and III Rocks were placed above and below the clay layer
(Basal and facing Zone). Topsoil was applied at the uppermost level. The Oxygen
Barrier zone was made up of the Basal Zone to an elevation of 130 m asl, one layer at
130-160 m asl and one layer at 160 - 175 m asl (Figure 1).

The construction of the waste rock dump was started at the outmost point of the surface
channel water flow in order to minimise and decrease the amount of water discharging
into surface water. In addition, an embankment was built at the foot of the dump in
order to accommodate the dumps runoff. The embankment ended at the water and
sediment settlement pond prior to discharge to surface waters. Throughout operation,
excavation and dumping of rock stock was undertaken based on acidity type of the
rocks extracted. In order to ensure continuous selective excavation and dumping, PT
NHM has modelled a mine block based on calculations from the ANC and APP ratio.

The construction of main drainage channel along the Dufa Dufa valley floor was
comprise of a geo-textile non-woven which was wrapped and filled by of coarse free
draining gravel/boulder. A form of drainage blanket comprising basalt gravel/cobble
sized materials over the whole of the dump floor to a thickness of some 5.0m was
constructed to connect with this main drain. In this way groundwater springs could be
intersected and waters are drained beneath the dump (Figure 2).

The waste rock dump was covered by a minimum of 10-cm layer of top soil and prepare
for progressive re-vegetation. Due to acid conditions, only specific shrub and cover
crops or plant species are capable of growing on top of the waste rock stockpile.

The surface run off from the waste rock dump was drained via boulders lined channels
and gabion into the settlement pond located at the toe of the waste dump. The capacity
of the Gosowong main settlement pond was 34.000 millions liters and functioned as
containment for all surface run off and ground water around the main waste dump. In
addition, the surface run off water from Gosowong pit was pumped into this main
settlement pond via the sediment ponds.








5
PT. NUSA HALMAHERA MINERALS
Revision/Revisi: Januari 2004

ZONE 3 - CLAY SEAL : To seal dump material from air and water. 1.0m vertical thickness on batters/0.5m vertical
thickness on benches. Placed in 0.5m lifts and compacted with vibratory roller for a
minimum of 7 passes. SAND DENSITY / INFILTROMETER TESTING
FOR COMPACTION (to achieve 85% Saturation or permeability of ) 10m/sec10m/sec

-8
NOT TO SCALE
1
1
24 m (min 10 m) 0.5 m
RANCANGAN KONSTRUKSI
TIMBUNAN BATUAN LIMBAH
WASTEDUMPDESIGN
CONSTRUCTION
ZONE 4 - FACING : 24m wide transition zone. COMPACT IN 0.5 -1.0m lifts for a minimum of 5 passes.
(NAG pH 4.5 - 7) : Zona transisi: lebar 24 m.Dipadatkan setiap ketebalan 0,5-1 m dengan
minimum 5 kali bolak balik.
ZONE 5 - PAF MATERIAL : COMPACT IN 0.5 lifts with 5 passes or 1.0m lifts with 7 passes.
(NAG pH <4.5) : Setiap ketebalan 0,5 m material PAF dipadatkan (5 kali bolak balik) atau
setiap ketebalan 1 m dengan 7 kali bolak balik.
ZONE 1 - TOP SOIL
: 0.2 loose dumped and track rolled with dozer.
: Tanah pucuk setebal 20 cm disebar dan diratakan oleh dozer.
ZONE 2 - COVER : To protect and buttress clay. 1.0m vertical thickness. Placed in 0.5m lifts.
Compacted by vibratory roller for a minimum of 7 passes. (NAG pH <7)
: Tanah liat setebal 1 m untuk melindungi zona dibawahnya. Tanah liat dipadatkan setiap 0,5 m dengan
Roller getar minimum sebanyak 7 kali bolak balik.
: Untuk menghalangi oksidasi material PAF (tidak kontak dengan Oksigen dan air), digunakan lapisan tanah
liat setebal 1 m (lereng) atau 0,5 m (jenjang). Untuk meyakinkan saturasi lapisan mencapai 85 % atau
permeabilitas 10m/detik dilakukan testing dengan alat Sand Density/ Infiltrometer.
-8
5
2.5 m 2.5 m
3
2
4
10 m
15 m
4
3
2
Figure 1. Encapsulation Method


















Figure 2. Flow Through Drain Design




GOSOWONG MAIN SETTLEMENT POND

During the operation period, three submersible pumps had been operated to control the
water level and water quality at the main settlement pond prior to discharge into Tobobo
River. Silts and particles were settling down according to the retention time in the main
settlement pond and provide full control to treat any necessary action to recover the
water quality prior to discharge.

In June 2002, these submersible pumps were dismantled and as planned, the surface
water in the main settlement pond was expected to flow naturally into Tobobo River via
spillway constructed by gabions. In the same month, 90% of the reclamation works at
the main waste dump was completed and remaining area was occupied by low grade
ore.
6
In December 2002, the surface water in the main settlement pond started to flow
naturally into Tobobo River via the spillway. In June 2003, surface water from the
southern low-grade ore stockpile was re-directed from the original receiving water
(Gosowong pit lake) into the Gosowong settlement pond.

During the post operation, no dozing lime activity was undertaken to maintain the water
pH above 6 because of the pH already met with the waste water quality standard.
Passive treatment was undertaken by introducing water plants and local fish (Mujair)
that caught from Tobobo River. The fish is used as bio-indicator for metals
accumulation media.

The monitoring program was set up by Environment Department and reviewed by a
consultant (EGI) in 2001. Since then, monitoring program has been undertaken to
monitor any significant increasing level of heavy metals, pH, conductivity, acidity and
alkalinity and sulfate that are indicators of any acid mine drainage generation.

WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM

One of the main issues for water quality during mining operation and post operation
period is the impact of ARD released from the waste rock dump to the water quality of
receiving river. Modelling results indicated that without ARD controls, waste rock
dump is predicted to release acid and associated metals of environmental concern in the
medium to long-term period. The critical routine parameters for ARD (Acid Rock
Drainage) in Gosowong include pH, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, acidity,
dissolved SO4, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn. Sampling and analysis are carried out using
procedures adapted from Standard Method for the Examination of Waste and
Wastewater 20
th
Edition 1998 published by the American Public health Association
(APHA).

The following locations that included in the water quality program at the waste rock
dump:
Waste rock dump drainage (collect at toe of dump and settlement pond);
Tobobo River upstream/above the waste rock dump; and
Tobobo River downstream/below the waste rock dump (discharge point).

Upstream and downstream of Tobobo River from the main settlement pond are the
important monitoring points to determine how the discharge water from the main
settlement pond impacted the Tobobo River water quality.

The water quality of the settlement pond prior to discharge was compared with the
KepMenLH no. 51 of 1995 regarding Waste Water Quality Standard. The water quality
of receiving water bodies for runoff from mining area and its ancillary activities is
targeted to meet the criteria of the Government Regulation No. 82 of 2001 concerning
Water Quality Management and Pollution Control, particularly Class I Water for
Raw Drinking Water and other Uses that Require Water Meeting Class I Standards.



7
WATER QUALITY MONITORING RESULTS

During operation period, pH value at the main settlement pond was varied from 4.6 up
to 8. When pH below 6, no discharge was allowed (water discharging was fully
controlled by operating three submersible pumps based on pH and TSS information in
daily basis). The measurements were undertaken at the control sump located at the dam.

The pH and Conductivity levels at the Gosowong Main Settlement Pond, upstream and
downstream of Tobobo River is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. pH and Conductivity levels during the operation and post-operation periods.


Successful rehabilitation on the main waste dump, proper construction of encapsulation
method in main waste dump, and the availability of the CaCO3 as alkalinity in the rocks
were contributing significant role in achieving accepted pH levels.

Conductivity values were more varied and tended to high during operation period.
These values had correlated with construction activities on the main waste dump where
the PAF material oxidized in water prior to be sealed with the NAG material and clay.

During the post operation, the conductivity values were decreased as a result of
completion of the main waste dump construction. In year 2 of post operation period,
these values were lower than year 1 ranging from 500 1000Umhos/cm, as result of
successful rehabilitation works on the main waste dump.

During operation and post operation periods, pH values were measured between 6 8.5.
Effluent water from main settlement pond has been naturally overflowed to downstream
part of Tobobo River since December 2002. Monitoring results indicated that there is no
significant changes of pH values measured both upstream and downstream of Tobobo
River. pH values at the both parts is comply to the river water quality standard.

Conductivity was measured during operation period. Results showed that conductivity
values at upstream part were lower than at downstream part.
Construction activities in main waste dump have influenced the water conductivity
(increased) in main settlement pond and its discharging point into Tobobo River. In year
1 post operation period, conductivity values were significantly decreasing, but was
increasing significantly in May 2003 due to at main settlement pond receiving surface
Operation Post Operation
July 1999-May 2002 June 2002 May 2003 June 2003 -May 2004
pH Con
duct
ivity
pH Conductivit
y
pH Conductivity pH Conductivity
Upstream
Tobobo River
5 - 9 NS 6.7 7.8 119 231 6.9 8.6 103 404 6.6 8.1 154 - 293
Gosowong
Main
Settlement
Pond
6 - 9 NS 4.6 7.8 231 1866 6.4 8 178 2650 6.4 7.8 587 1408
Downstream
Tobobo River
5 - 9 NS 6.7 7.6 122 - 595 7 - 8 122 - 256 7.2 8.1 168 - 298
8
water from the southern low grade ore stockpile and was decreasing again at the end of
year 2 (dry season).

The acidity and alkalinity levels at the Gosowong main settlement pond, upstream and
downstream of Tobobo River were shown in Table 4-2.

Table 4-2. Acidity and alkalinity levels during the operation and post-operation periods.

Operation Post Operation
July 1999-May 2002 June 2002 - May 2003 June 2003 -May 2004
Acidity Alkalinity Acidity Alkalinity Acidity Alkalinity
Upstream
Tobobo River
1 - 5 11 - 39 2 - 7 12 - 57 4 - 9 22 - 34
Gosowong Main
Settlement Pond
1 - 85 20 - 260 4 - 26 102 - 233 6 - 13 92 - 191
Downstream
Tobobo River
1 - 8 9 - 40 1 - 6 18 - 49 2 - 19 21 - 39

Acidity values in Gosowongs main settlement pond were increasing during the
construction of main waste dump however it remained steady at just below 26.
Alkalinity values were more varied as a result of NAG materials contribution during
construction of main waste dump and were decreasing during post operation period.
Main low grade ore stockpile and the southern low grade ore stockpile were
contributing in reducing alkalinity values.

Sulfate level at Gosowong main settlement pond and downstream of Tobobo River is
shown in Table 4-3.

Table 4-3. Sulfate concentration during the operation and post operation periods.
Operation Post Operation

Water Quality
Standard
July 1999-May 2002 June 2002 - May 2003
June 2003 -May
2004
Sulfate (mg/L) Sulfate (mg/L) Sulfate (mg/L) Sulfate (mg/L)
Gosowong
main
settlement
pond
15 166 - 801 375 1220 475 742
Downstream
Tobobo River
400 26 - 206 38 - 169 58 - 75

Sulfate concentration at the Gosowong pit was elevated from operation period into year
1 post operation period and was decreased in year 2 post operation period.

Sulfate concentration at the downstream of Tobobo River was elevated during the
operation and year 1 post operation periods and was decreased in year 2 post operation
period. The sulfate concentration in Tobobo River downstream part was not much
different compared to the upstream part in year 2 post operation period.


The copper level at the Gosowong main settlement pond and downstream of Tobobo
River is shown in Table 4-4.

9
Table 4-4. Copper concentration during the operation and post operation periods.
Operation Post Operation

Water Quality
Standard
July 1999-May 2002 June 2002 - May 2003
June 2003 -May
2004
Copper (mg/L) Copper (mg/L) Copper (mg/L) Copper (mg/L)
Gosowong
main
settlement
pond
2 - 3 0.001 0.076 0.001 0.057 0.001 0.003
Downstream
Tobobo River
0.02 0.001 0.034 0.001 0.007 0.001 0.002

Table shows that copper concentration in Gosowong main settlement pond is below the
permissible limits and has less impact to the copper concentrations in the Tobobo River.

The manganese level at the Gosowong main settlement pond and downstream of
Tobobo River is shown in Table 4-5.

Table 4-5. Manganese concentration during operation and post operation periods.
Operation Post Operation

Water Quality
Standard
July 1999-May 2002 June 2002 - May 2003
June 2003 -May
2004
Manganese (mg/L) Manganese (mg/L) Manganese (mg/L) Manganese (mg/L)
Gosowong
Main
settlement
pond
2 - 5 1.23 6.86 0.49 7.85 0.29 2.07
Downstream
Tobobo River
0.1 0.01 0.44 0.01 0.42 0.01 0.04

Manganese concentration at Gosowong main settlement pond was higher in the waste
dump toe rather in the main settlement pond itself. Manganese concentrations exceeded
the standard in some monitoring periods and met the standard in the year 2 post
operation. During the year 1 post operation period, manganese concentration has
increased at two times during monitoring period. This probably, due to surface water
flow from main low grade ore stockpile. Drainage was diverted in May 2003 and
manganese concentration was increased in July 2003. However this concentration was
within the standard, and was decreased dramatically below 2 mg/L afterward. These
high values, probably, were contributed by the southern low grade ore stockpile.

As the submersible pumps were dismantled in June 2002, no water was discharging.
Water naturally overflowed in December 2002, when surface water level above the
spillway elevation. In few occasions, the manganese concentration in Tobobo River
downstream part was higher than 0.1 mg/L and these values closely related with high
manganese concentration in main settlement pond. This was contributed by main low
grade ore stockpile and the southern low grade ore stockpile.

The iron level at Gosowong main settlement pond, upstream and downstream of
Tobobo River is shown in Table 4-6.




10
Table 4-6. Iron concentration during operation and post operation periods.
Operation Post Operation

Water Quality
Standard
July 1999-May 2002 June 2002 - May 2003
June 2003 -May
2004
Iron (mg/L) Iron (mg/L) Iron (mg/L) Iron (mg/L)
Gosowong
main waste
dump
5 - 10 0.05 0.33 0.05 0.26 0.05 0.06
Downstream
Tobobo River
0.3 0.05 0.67 0.005 0.12 0.005 0.1

Iron concentration at Gosowongs main settlement pond was met the standards. In year
1 and 2 post operation periods, iron concentration continuously decreased and not
affected by surface water flow from the southern low grade ore stockpile and main low
grade ore stockpile. Iron concentration, then, remains steady at 0.05 mg/L and in met
the waste water quality standard.

Iron concentration in downstream Tobobo River had been increased during the
operation period. During post operation period, iron concentration had been decreased
to below 0.1 mg/L and met the river water quality standard. The baseline study (1996
1998) indicated that iron concentration was high (0.63 mg/L) compared to the measured
concentration in the post operation period. A single measurement iron concentration in
June 2002 was 0.67 mg/L prior to dismantling of submersible pumps.

The zinc level at the Gosowong main waste dump and downstream of Tobobo River is
shown in Table 4-7.

Table 4-7. Zinc concentration during the operation and post operation periods.
Operation Post Operation

Water Quality
Standard
July 1999-May 2002 June 2002 - May 2003
June 2003 -May
2004
Zinc (mg/L) Zinc (mg/L) Zinc (mg/L) Zinc (mg/L)
Gosowong
Main Waste
Dump
5 - 10 0.005 0.29 0.005 0.19 0.005 0.017
Downstream
Tobobo River
0.05 0.005 0.065 0.005 0.033 0.005

Zinc concentration at Gosowong main settlement pond had been increased during the
operation phase and had been decreased at post operation period. This concentration
was remained steady throughout the period of monitoring and met the compliance
limits. Surface water flow from the southern low grade ore stockpile and main low
grade ore stockpile were not affecting zinc concentration in main settlement pond.

During the operation period, zinc concentration in the Tobobo River (downstream part)
was affected by discharging activity. Zinc concentration was exceeded compared with
the baseline data (0.05 mg/L). As the mining operation has ceased in May 2002, the zinc
concentration in Tobobo River was decreased and steady below 0.01 mg/L.

11
CONCLUSIONS

Water quality monitoring program was set up as part of Quality Control (QC) in
encapsulation method. Settlement pond is appropriate location for controlling
implementation of the encapsulation method. This pond normally located downstream
of the waste rock dump. This pond collects all surface and ground waters this includes
settling of silt/sediment prior to discharge/release into the receiving rivers.

In settlement pond, most of water quality parameters were elevating during the
operation period and pH levels occasionally below 6. No discharging activity was
allowed via three submersible pumps when pH was not met water quality standard. The
elevated numbers were caused by the progressive construction of the waste rocks dump,
high annual rainfall (3.5m annually), and heavy metals leaching.

In post operation period (year 1 and 2), acidity and alkalinity, sulfate, and dissolved
metals concentration were decreased; and dissolved metals concentration were in
complied with the applicable standards. The pH level was within the acceptance range
of 6 9. The conductivity remained high and tended to decrease in year 2.
The discharging activity via three submersible pumps from the settlement pond into
Tobobo River, during operation period, has slightly impacted the water quality (only for
pH, acidity, alkalinity, Copper, and Manganese). Nevertheless, Tobobo River water
quality was within the Category I standard, except for manganese and iron in year 1 post
operation. In year 2 post operation period all the numbers (concentration/level) were
decreased and tends to more low numbers and in comply with the Category I standards.

Two years monitoring results (during post operation period) had indicated that the
construction works in waste rock dump using encapsulation method had shown
successful efforts in preventing the acid rock drainage generation from PAF materials.
The monitoring program will be continued at least 1 more year to gather more results
and to prove that ARD is not generated from the waste rocks dump.

Acid Rock Drainage is the global issue from the mining sectors and this issue shall be
managed properly. Selective methods shall be careful decided based on the technical
advises and expertise, budget, environmental acceptance and benefit for the
stakeholders.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author gratefully acknowledge the management of PT. Nusa Halmahera Minerals
for allowing publication of these data.

REFERENCE

PT. Nusa Halmahera Minerals, 1998. Gosowong Gold Project: Feasibility Study -
Volume 3, may 1998.

PT. Nusa Halmahera Minerals, 1998. Gosowong Gold Project: Analisis Mengenai
Dampak Lingkungan, July 1998.
12

PT. Nusa Halmahera Minerals, 1998. Gosowong Gold Project: Environmental
Management Plan, 1998.

Miller, S.D., 2000. Report by Environmental Geochemistry International Pty. Ltd to PT.
NHM on: Mine Site Acid Drainage Management Program, May 2000.

Robotham, M.E., 2000. Report by Golder Associates Pty Ltd to PT. NHM on: Review of
Waste Dump Stability, October 2000.

Stewart, W, and Miller, S.D., 2001. Report by Environmental Geochemistry
International Pty Ltd to PT. NHM on: Review of AMD Management at Gosowong Mine,
May 2001.