Central Kalimantan vows to curb gold mining in rivers

The provincial administration of Central Kalimantan has instructed all towns and regencies in the province to curb the operations of illegal gold miners in rivers. This step was taken to stop the ongoing environmental damage in 11 rivers in Central Kalimantan, where the mercury/Hg level is high, the Kompas newspaper reported in its Tuesday edition.

Central Kalimantan deputy governor Nahson Taway on Monday said his administration has already sent letters to towns and regencies to campaign the new policy.

“We asked all the towns/regencies to ban gold mining operations in rivers,” Nahson said.

All the towns/regencies in the province were also asked to stop issuing permits for mining operations in rivers and the miners can divert their operations to the land. (*)