Newmont, the world's largest gold producer, is preparing for a legal battle over pollution allegations in Indonesia that could last "a couple of years" and has rejected an offer to settle a $543m lawsuit linked to the charges, according to senior executives.

In a visit to Indonesia last week, Wayne Murdy, chief executive, separately met three members of the country's new cabinet in a bid to resolve the dispute over its now-shut Minahasa Raya mine in North Sulawesi that has left six managers facing possible jail terms.