Four mining firms allowed developing protected areas

The government has allowed four mining companies including PT Gag Nikel, PT Weda Bay, PT Citra Palu Minerals and PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals to continue their mining activities in protected forests, Bisnis Indonesia daily reported on Tuesday.

Director General of Geology and Natural Resources at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Wimpy S. Tjetjep said that there had been an agreement with the Ministry of Forestry on the resumption of the four companies? mining activities.

Many mining companies including the four firms have been asked to discontinue their mining activities in protected areas following the introduction of the forestry law, which will among others bans open mining activities in protected forests.

The law has caused a wide controversy because many of mine concession areas given to private companies overlap with protected forests.

"The four companies have been allowed to continue their activities. The problem has been settled. We just wait for the administrative procedure," Tjetjep said. (*)