Coal mining contractors start exploitation in C. Kalimantan

As many as 11 out of 57 contractors that hold coal a mining authority (KP) in North Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan, have started exploitation activities in their mining concession.

The 11 contractors include PT Rizki Tambang Semesta, PT Victor Dua Tiga Mega, PT Batubara Duaribu Lestari, PT Batara Perkasa and PT Harfa Taruna Mandiri.

Head of North Barito?s Mining, Industry and Trade Agency Asran said in Muara Teweh, Central Kalimantan, that the 11 contractors have already held exploitation license.

?Several of them have started production, with output reaching almost 100,000 tons of coal,? Asran was quoted by Antara as saying on Thursday.

Since the enactment of Regional Autonomy Law in 2001, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has transferred its authority to issue KP to regional government. (*)