Inco reforests 2,742 hectares of mining areas

PT International Nickel Indonesia (Inco) is reforesting a total acreage of 2,742 hectares of mining areas, out of its total mining areas in Sulawesi of 3,099 hectares, with a total cost of Rp 68.5 billion.

Inco super miner re-vegetation senior official, Aris Prio Ambodo, said Inco had started the reforestation program since 1980s, and would complete the reforestation in year 2005.

"The greening program that has been conducted since 1980 has replanted a total of 1,986 hectares," he said in Soroako, the center of its mining operation in South Sulawesi.

Aris explained that the company planted mostly acacia and pine trees in its mining areas.

He noted Inco replanted around 275 hectares per annum its mining areas, with an average cost of Rp 20 million per hectare. Based on that cost, the company projected that it would need to spend another Rp 58.8 billion of fund for its replanting program until year 2005.

Aris said that Inco would replant a total area of 350 hectares this year, otherwise it would be penalized Rp 12 million by the government. He added that according to Inco contract of works, the government could take over the replanting program if the company was considered incapable to do so.

He added that Inco had forged cooperation with a number of universities and institutes for its replanting program, including the Bogor Institute of Agriculture and the Hasanuddin University in Makassar. (*)