IMA welcomes presidential decree on mining in forest area

The Association of Indonesian Mining Companies (IMA) has warmly welcome the issuance of the presidential decree No.41/2004 which allows 13 mining companies to resume their mining projects in protected forests, Suara Karya reported on Wednesday.

The association’s chairman, Paul Coutrier, said he believed that the government’s decision to allow the 13 mining companies to continue their operations in protected forests would further encourage the investment in the mining sector which had showed a sharp decline during the past three years.

“The investment in the mining sector sharply declined following the issuance of the forestry law No. 41/1999 which prohibited open-mining activities in forest conservation areas,” he said. “With the issuance of the presidential decree No. 41/2004, we hope the investment will start to increase again,” he added.

The mining firms that would resume their operation include PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Karimun Granit, PT Inco, PT Indominco Mandiri, PT Aneka Tambang, PT Natarang Mining, PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals, PT Pelsart Tambang Kencana, PT Interex Saera Raya, PT Weda Bay Nickel, PT Gag Nickel, PT Sorikmas Mining, PT Aneka Tambang. (*)