Bengkulu authority asked to shut down mine operations

The legislative council of Bengkulu province has urged the local government to shut down the operation of seven mining companies in the province?s regencies of North Bengkulu, Central Bengkulu and Seluma.

Firdaus Djailani, the head of the special commission of the council, said that the mining permits of the seven mining companies had to be revoked because they had ignored the mining regulation especially related to the reclamation requirement.

The seven mining firms are PT Putra Maga Nanditama, PT Bara Indah Lestari, PT Ratu Samban Mining, PT Kusuma Raya Utama, PT Barat Adi Pratama, PT Indonesia Riau Sri Avantika, and PT Inti Bara Perdana.

?We have asked the head of the mining office of the Bengkulu province and to immediately revoke their mining permits,? he said quoted by metrotvnews.com.

In addition, the legislators also asked the local government to consider the revocation of the permits of other seven mining companies because their operations did not bring any positive impact on the local economy. The companies, for example, hire workers mostly from outside the province.

The seven companies are PT Ferto Rejang, PT Global Kaltim, PT Arma Sentosa, PT Danau Mas Hitam, PT Bukit Sunur, PT Injatama and PT Semoloro Banyuarto. (*)