Five local companies involved in KEM?s reforestation

PT Kelian Equatorial Mining (KEM) has appointed five local companies to carry out the next stage of the reforestation activities in its former mining site in East Kalimantan, Kaltim Post reported on Saturday.

The company?s President Director Charlie Lenegan said that five companies appointed to handle reforestation, among others, include CV Maya Prima, CV Agustina, CV Damai Baru and KUB Sumber Harapan.

The reforestation program, which has been started since last year, would cover a total area of 1,190 hectares. The reforestation of around 809 hectares has been completed.

Lenegan said that the company, which will formally halt its mining activities next year due to depletion of its gas deposits, has allocated a great amount of funds to finance the reforestation program. ?In 2002, the company spent about US$220,210,? he said.

KEM, owned 90 percent by Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, has since 1992 operated a gold mine in Kelian in West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan. KEM will cease mining in 2003 but processing will continue until 2004. (*)