ICMA urges more aggressive action against illegal miners

By Tri Subhki R

Chairman of Indonesia Coal Mining Association (ICMA) Bob Kamandanu urged the government to be more aggressive to curb illegal coal miners in Indonesia, where approximately about 70 million tons of illegal coal are being exported annually.

"I hope the government will have more aggressive actions to curb illegal coal miners in the field. In fact, there are still operating illegal miners," Bob said at an international conference in Bali on Tuesday.

While acknowledging that the new export procedure, which necessitates miners a number of requirements including a ?clean and clear? status of their concessions to be able to get export permit, there has to be more aggressive action to curb the rampant illegal coal mining activities in the country, the world?s largest exporter of thermal coal.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak