Arutmin says production normal despite protest

Coal mining firm PT Arutmin Indonesia said that there was no disruption in the company?s coal production process last week, despite reports earlier of massive villagers demonstration at its mining operation in Kotabaru Regency, South Kalimantan.

Arutmin external relations manager Sonny Pangestu told Petromindo.com that coal production and shipment activities were running normally.

Some 400 villagers of the Kelumpang Tengah district held a demonstration last week demanding the company to immediately start a recruitment process for them after completing company-sponsored training program, which witnesses said caused disruption in production and shipment activities.

Sonny, however, said that the villagers were not protesting, but holding a dialogue with the company. The villagers demanded Arutmin to prioritize local people in employee recruitment, he said.(Godang)