Govt threatens to close 15 mining firms in Samarinda

The local government of East Kalimantan has threatened to shut down the operation of at least 15 mining companies in Samarinda if they fail to carry out reclamation on their former mining areas on February 1 at the latest, Kaltim Post reported on Friday.

The decision to shut down the 15 mining companies was made during a hearing between the mining department of the Samarinda municipal government and the local legislative council (DPRD) in Samarinda on Thursday.

The 15 companies, part of 56 miners which operate in Samarina municipal area, would have to carry out their reclamation activities on February 1, 2013 at the latest, the secretary of the council?s commission III, Mursyid AR. ?If they ignore the threat, their permits will be revoked,? he added.

Reclamation is part of the obligation which should be carried out by a miner in its former mining areas. But many miners failed to fulfill the obligation.

The council also called on the local government to closely monitor the mining activities to ensure that all miners carry out their operations according to the existing regulation. The local government should carry out field inspection so that they will have valid data on the operation of mining companies, he added.

The 15 companies include:
1. CV Bara Energi Kaltim
2. PT Buana Rizky Armia (Sei Siring)
3. CV Bukit Pinang Bahari
4. PT Dunia Usaha Maju
5. PT Energi Cahaya Industriatama
6. KSU Gelinggang Mandiri
7. PT Graham Benua Etam
8. PT Indokal Prima Jaya
9. KSU Mahatidana
10. CV Mutiara Etam Coal
11. PT Panca Prima Mining
12. CV Puang Cakrabuana
13. CV Tempaure Jaya Mandiri Coal
14. PT Transisi Energy Satunama
15. CV Tunggal Firdaus Kaltim(*)