Govt defends ban on mining activities at protected forests

Minister of Forestry M. Prakoso made it clear on Monday that the government would not change its decision to ban open-mining activities on protected forests despite protests from some mining companies, Kompas reported on Tuesday

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Vice President Hamzah Haz on Monday, the minister said the restriction on open-mining activities at protected forests as stated on the Law No 41, 1999 on Forestry, would be maintained.

?Up to now, the government does not have any plan to change the law,? he said after the meeting which was also joined by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro.

Aditya Sumanagara, the president of state owned general mining company PT Aneka Tambang, said earlier that several mining operators had suspended mining projects worth about US$1.5 billion in eastern part of Indonesia due the banning of open-mining operation on protected forests.

The forestry minister said, ?It is the government?s policy, that?s it, so how we could change the law.?

Prakoso said that his office was reevaluating as many as 375 forest concession permits. The minister added that the government would temporarily freeze the issuance of new concession permits until there is a clear picture on the condition of the country?s forests. (*)