Illegal mining still rampant in Arutmin's concession area

Illegal coal mining is still rampant in the concession area of coalminer PT Arutmin Indonesia in South Kalimantan, local daily Banjarmasin Post reported on Friday.

Arutmin had in fact expected the illegal activity to end with the involvement in its operation of two cooperatives linked to the police and the military, the newspaper said.

The cooperatives had made quite a big number of illegal miners their partners. But those not joining them were continuing mining coal in Arutmin?s concession area in Kota Baru Regency.

The illegal miners are reportedly backed by local businessmen who purchase their coal products. (*)