Arutmin?s Asam-Asam mine resumes operation

South Kalimantan coal miner PT Arutmin Indonesia resumed Thursday its Asam-Asam mine and coal port activities, a senior official from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said.

MS Marpaung, Environmental and Technical Director for Mineral, Coal and Geothermal Resources told Petromindo.Com that the Company has started hauling operations and port activities had also been restarted.

?Although some villagers are still in the location but hauling of coal to port are resuming operation,? he said.

The villagers blocked the road since Monday as they considered the company had neglected their demands and grievances, including environmental problems, unpaid land acquisition and closure of villagers? road access.

The blockade had caused coal shipment to a number of power plants in Java including to Suralaya power plant in Banten to stop.

Apart from Asam-Asam, the Company operates several pits including Satui, Batu Licin and Mulia.

Arutmin Indonesia is a unit of IDX-listed giant miner PT Bumi Resources Tbk.(godang)