Indonesia threatens second US mining company with lawsuit News
Indonesia threatens second US mining company with lawsuit

[JURIST] Indonesia has threatened legal action against US mining company Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold [corporate website] if it does not improve environmental conditions near its gold mine in Papua. For the past few days, protestors have called for the government to take action against the mine in order to control the production of waste ore called tailings that could cause landslides or flooding. A landslide [Reuters report] near the plant on Thursday killed three workers and injured four others, but Freeport says the cause of the landslide was not related to its operation [PDF press release].

Indonesia earlier this year settled [JURIST report] a civil suit for environmental damage against Newmont Mining Corporation [corporate website; JURIST news archive] for $30 million. Criminal charges are still pending against Newmont's top executive in the region. Indonesia set a timetable of two to three years for Freeport to action and avoid litigation. AP has more. The Jakarta Post has local coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.