Barito issues new coal mining permits

Four companies including PT Bharinto Ekatama, PT Supra Barimapan Indo Mineral, PT Suryabara Tambang Andalas and PT Harfa Taruna Mandiri have obtained permits from the local administration of the North Barito regency in South Kalimantan to mine coal in the regency.

Banjarmasin Pos daily reported on Saturday that PT Bharinto obtained a concession right to mine coal on 22,000 hectares of land in Teweh Timur district and PT Supra Barimapan on 97,240 hectares in Teweh Tengah district.

The other two companies -- PT Suryabara received a license to mine coal in 29,725 hectares of land in Lahei district and PT Harfa Taruna got a permit to mine coal in 47,048 hectares of land in Teweh Tengah district.

Meanwhile the daily also reported that PT Batubara Dua Ribu received a license to mine coal in Gunung Timang district (128,200 hectares). The company had also asked the local government not to revoke its coal mining permits on two mining areas in Gunung Purei district (2,596 hectares) and Teweh Tengah district (2,862 hectares).

PT Batubara Dua Ribu risks of losing its license for not conducting mining activities within the time limit provided by the regency. (*)