Central govt inspects Trubaindo mining

The central government through the energy and mineral resources has sent a mining inspection team to West Kutai in East Kalimantan to inspect pollution in Lawa River allegedly caused by waste water resulting from PT Trubaindo Coal Mining?s operation, Investor Daily reported Tuesday.

Director general for minerals, coal and geothermal at the energy and mineral resources ministry Simon F. Sembiring said it would take a month for the inspection team to conclude whether Trubaindo was the cause of the water pollution in the Lawa River.

?The inspection team will be in the field for a week. Just let?s wait for the result,? Simon said in Jakarta Monday.

Simon affirmed that the central government, either the directorate general of minerals, coal and geothermal or the energy and mineral resources ministry, had no rights to halt the mining operation of Trubaindo. ?Under the existing regulation, those who can stop the mining operation are the mining inspection executives. With their certificate, they have an authority to stop (the operation). The minister or I cannot do it,? he said.

Meanwhile, Banpu Indonesia's communication manager Ina Santi said that as of Monday at 5 p.m., there has not been a report that Trubaindo?s operation is halted. ?No, we have not received a report from East Kalimantan administration. We will, surely, tell the media further development (of Trubaindo).?

According to an earlier news report, the Lawa River was polluted by an overflowing of waste water supposed to be from Trubaindo mine.

Meanwhile, Banpu said in a statement that the company's policy is to monitor the safety and environmental issues from all its mining operation.

Likewise, Trubaindo mine is operated according to the standard and procedure that comply with the industry regulation, the statement said. "Water from mine pits is settled at ponds, treated, and tested before discharged to the river. Samplings are conducted and reports are submitted on regular basis with backup records always available for immediate verification," it said.

The company is in the process of factual investigation about the issue. Currently the Trubaindo operation proceeds as normal and all operation procedures have been rechecked to ensure full compliance with regulations.

Trubaindo is owned 90 percent by Thai energy giant Banpu Plc, through its subsidiary PT Indo Tambangraya Megah. It started commercial production in 2005, with initial production of 1.76 million tons.(*)