Coal mining moratorium in S. Kalimantan ends

Moratorium on mining activities in South Kalimantan has practically ended with Hulu Sungai Selatan (HSS) authorities allowing PT Antang Gunung Meratus (AGM) to resume coal mining in cooperation with another company owned by the regency administration, local daily Banjarmasin Post daily reported Wednesday.

HSS regent M. Safi’i temporarily suspended AGM’s operation in October because it did not possess operational permit.

The suspension move was part of the moratorium imposed by HSS administration on all mining activities carried out without legal permit.

Banjarmasin Post said however that Safi’i had not yet issued official statements to end the moratorium. The paper said however that the regent had sent a letter to AGM to resume its activities while asking it to do its work professionally.

Meanwhile, AGM’s site manager Yuyu Gumilar said the authorities viewed its mining construction had met required standards. This was the reason for them to be allowed to resume operation in cooperation with PT Sasangga Banua, a company owned by HSS administration.

AGM’s coal mining area is located in four regencies in South Kalimantan including HSS, Banjar, Tapin and Hulu Sungai Tengah.

Illegal coal mining is rampant in South Kalimantan. (*)