Illegal miners start occupying IMK's site again

Some 40 illegal miners have started to occupy the mining site of gold mining firm PT Indo Muro Kencana (IMK) in North Barito district, South Kalimantan.

The local Banjarmasin Post quoted company spokesman Gazali Lubis on Monday as saying that the illegal miners occupied the Luit Raya and Jiwa Komplek mining sites in the Betmen area of the Permata Intan sub district.

Gazali said that the company had asked the police to immediately handle the problem on fears that the land occupation by the 40 illegal miners could trigger thousands of other illegal miners to follow the move.

IMK had been badly hit by a recent massive occupation of its gold mining sites by thousands of illegal miners. The problem had even prompted President Abdurrahman Wahid to issue a decree to curb illegal mining activities through out the country. (*)