Companies in production stage get priority to resume operations: Purnomo

The government will give priority to mining companies already carrying out production activities to resume their operations in protected forests, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Friday.

"The companies should also be those supported by the local governments and other parties in their areas of operation, and their projects will have multiplier effects on the welfare of the local community," the minister told reporters.

The government, however, has yet to decide which companies to be given priority to continue their mining activities in protected forests, he said.

Rumors had it that as many as 13 firms would be allowed to resume their open pit mining operations in protected forests.

They were among the 22 mining firms forced to stop their activities in different parts of Indonesia after the government issued a law in 1999, Law No. 41/1999, to ban open pit mining in protected forests.

Recently, the government issued a regulation in lieu of the law (PERPU) to allow mining firms affected by the law to resume their operations. (Godang)