Bengkulu offers gold concession to investors

The provincial administration of Bengkulu will offer a gold mine concession formerly owned by PT Lusang Mining in Lebong Tendai of the province?s North Bengkulu regency to investors. The gold mine is estimated to contain deposit of about 30,000 metric tons gold ore, Antara reported on Saturday.

The head of the province?s mining office Aminduddin NS said in Bengkulu on Friday that PT Lusang Mining?s concession was returned to the local authority 10 years ago after the company failed to continue its exploration activities.

He, however, said most of the gold concession area had been occupied by illegal miners. "There are more than 1,000 illegal miners in the area at present," he added. During its operation, PT Lusang Mining has produced tons of gold.

The local authority earlier said that it planned to launch a sweeping operation against the illegal miners which did nor only operate in the former concession area of PT Lusang Mining but also in the province?s Kerinci national forest conservation area. (*)