Barisan Tropical Mining's royalty disappear

The royalty paid by gold mining company PT Barisan Tropical Mining (BTM) to the Musi Rawas regency in South Sumatra had disappeared, Sumatera Ekspres reported.

BTM's management said in a hearing with the regency's council on Tuesday that BTM had paid the royalties until the third quarter of last year, but the regency's tax office said it had yet to receive the royalties.

The regency's council said it would ask the South Sumatera provincial administration and the central government on the whereabouts of the money.

The paper did not provide details on the amount of royalties.

Under the current existing regulation, mining companies pay royalties to the central government, which later distribute them to the mining provinces. (*)