East Kutai regent to revoke 35 coal mining exploration permits

East Kutai regency government plans to revoke another 35 coal mining exploration permits or Ijin Usaha Pertambangan (IUP) because of some violations to the regulations and because some miners have not done any activity on their concession, said Isran Noor, East Kutai regent on Wednesday.

"We plan to revoke the permits because of a number of reasons including because there is no activity on the concession due to lack of funds, or because the miners have violated regulations," said Isran, adding that once the permits revoked, they won't be able to be re-instated.

Isran declined to disclose the names of miners whose exploration permits will be canceled but the move is expected to be completed this year.

Previously, East Kutai regent cancelled four mining licenses held by U.K coal miner Churchill Mining and its local partner Ridlatama Group in 2010. Churchill appealed to the State Administrative Tribunal in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan and where the mines are located, but the tribunal ruled against the company and favored the regent's decision.

Isran said Churchill Mining and Ridlatama won't have their permits back even if they re-apply for the permits. (giok)