Illegal mining activity intensifies in Central Kalimantan
Wednesday, July 5 2000 - 03:15 AM WIB
Illegal gold mining activity has intensified in Central Kalimantan particularly in five districts of the province including in the Kapuas district, Kotim, Kobar, Barut and Barsel, according to the head of the provincial office of the Ministry of Mines and Energy Fatah Yoesoef.
Fatah said that thousands of illegal gold miners in the five districts had now controlled over 2,116 ha of mining sites belonging to legal gold mining companies.
He said that the rampant illegal mining activity has nearly caused a massive physical conflict among the illegal miners, local people and security forces.
He pointed out on the recent case of gold mining firm PT Indomuro Kencana.
He said that one way to help resolve the rampant illegal mining was by pushing the development of people's mining activity, which also would provide additional income to the local administration through taxes.
He said that they're some 21,000-35,000 of illegal miners in the province. (*)