Expert criticizes working committee on illegal mining

Chairman of the Indonesian Mining Expert Herman Afiff Kusumo criticized on Wednesday the newly formed working committee designed to solve the rampant illegal mining in the country.

Herman said that the committee would not be effective because it only involves government officials, without a wider participation including from independent expert, mining professionals, and non-governmental organizations.

Illegal mining activity has become a serious problem in Indonesia, which both lead to destruction of environment and discourage foreign investment. But most of the illegal mining is done by traditional miners, whose number is so large.(*)