Intrepid's Tujuh Bukit gold project halted by forestry ministry

Australia-listed mining firm Intrepid Mines Limited said on Tuesday that its partner PT Indo Multi Niaga (IMN) had applied for the renewal of its forest-utilization permit to develop Tumpangpitu prospect, Tujuh Bukit gold project, East Java

?The Forestry Permit which allows PT IMN to conduct exploration activities within forestry areas expired on 16 February 2010. Application had been lodged for the renewal of the permit, but PT IMN understands that, as a matter of informal policy, the Forestry Department is currently not issuing renewals nationally pending reviews of projects within the resources sector. The Forestry Department requested PT IMN temporarily to halt exploration activities at Tujuh Bukit, pending a decision on the renewal of the permit.? Intrepid said in statement.

Intrepid has been advised that a team from the Forestry Department will be undertaking a site visit to the project in the next five days, it said. (denny)