Bengkulu legislative council questions seriousness of coal firm

The Bengkulu legislative council has questioned the seriousness of coal mining firm PT Bara Indah Lestari which has not implemented any exploitation activity over the past five years, according to the Suara Pembaruan evening daily.

PT Bara Indah Lestari is a mining permit holder explores for coal in South Bengkulu regency.

The paper quoted a lawmaker as saying that the coal mining firm should have already started exploitation activity this month.

It is not clear whether the council would recommend the withdrawal of the company?s coal mining license.

But head of the Bengkulu mining office Suratman told Petromindo.com that the government had extended the exploration deadline until June 2002 following a previous earthquake incident that disrupt the company?s mining schedule.(Godang)