Development in mining sector stagnates: Official

The development in the country?s mining sector over the past two years has stagnated, according to director general of geology and mineral resources Wimpy S. Tjetjep.

Wimpy said that this was caused by various reasons including the change in the country social and political condition, and in the administration system from a centralistic government to a decentralization system which creates changes in the authority over the mining sector.

Wimpy was speaking in a press conference Sunday to inform about a mining symposium and workshop to be held Monday in Jakarta. The symposium will discuss various issues in the mining sector including to provide input for the drafting of the new mining law.

Elsewhere, Wimpy said that the development in the mining sector was linked with policies in the forestry sector, finance, and environment. He said that the multiuse of land between mining and forestry sector was a major problem that must be immediately resolved to provide certainty for investors.(Godang)