Govt to issue regulation on underground mining in protected forests

The government will issue a presidential regulation allowing mining companies to carry out underground mining in protected forests.

?The Minister of Forestry has endorsed the (draft) presidential regulation. The endorsement was also given for underground mining in protected forests," Bambang Setiawan, Director General of Coal, Minerals and Geothermal at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, told reporters Monday night.

"This regulation will serve as legal basis for underground mining in protected forests," he said. But he did not give details when the regulation will be released.

Bambang said the new regulation would benefit the mining sector by giving it a larger mining area. (Bernard)