Govt regrets arrest of illegal miners

Director General of General Mining Surna Tjahja Djadjadiningrat said he regretted the arrest of 15 illegal miners who were operating in the mining areas owned by PT Indomuro Kencana.

Surna said the company, local administration and law enforcers should settle the issue through social and cultural approach, rather than using force like arrest.

"I suggest that these 15 people be freed. I have presented that (the suggestion) to the Kanwil (the provincial office of the Ministry of Mines and Energy) and Walhi (the Indonesian Environmental Forum), and other related parties," Surna said.

However, he said, although the 15 people were freed, the law enforcers must continue the legal process against them.

He also called on PT Indomuro Kencana to relinquish a portion of its mining concession to local people to mine. With that move, illegal mining activities in its mining areas would cease.

He noted that Indomuro Kencana had actually committed to give a portion of its concession to local people, bit its commitment had never been realized.

"I hope what has been given away by Indomuro should be given to the people so that the area can be used as the site for the people's mining area," he said, adding that there are many people whose lives depend on the mining area. (*)