Illegal coal mining persists in South Kalimantan despite ban

Illegal coal miners continue their activity in several areas in Kelumpang Tengah district, Kotabaru regency, South Kalimantan despite a ban issued by the local administration in May.

The local Banjarmasin Post daily reported Monday that the illegal coal mining activity had damaged the environment.

The paper said that the illegal coal mining activity was being sponsored by businessmen from outside the Kelumpang Tengah district. It added that the illegal miners had used three local ports to transport their coal products.

Deputy of the local illegal mining curbing team Adang Farid admitted that illegal miners had continued their activity despite the ban. But he said that the administration would take a firmer action against the illegal miners once the current stock resulting from the illegal mining activity depleted.

The paper said that the coal stock from the illegal mining activity was currently estimated at around 311,000 tons, but the figure might increase as the illegal mining continued.(*)