Japan threatens to stop buying coal from Sebuku
Wednesday, October 22 2003 - 03:59 AM WIB
“Our buyers from Japan questioned about the concerns of several parties that we have neglected our obligation to conduction environmental protection programs, including reclamation,” BCS’ president Ginarsa Tandinegara was quoted by Detik.Com as saying in a press conference on Tuesday.
“As a matter of fact, the mining operation will last until 2010. Thus, it is reasonable that there are holes in the mining site that have yet to be reclaimed. Actually, we already have a plan to conduct reclamation gradually until the end of our mining operation,” Ginarsa said.
He noted that in its operation, the firm had been always watched over by inspectors sent by the government, who would take punitive measures against the firm in case the firm violated the rules, including those related to environmental protection.
“Thus, what the Japanese is worrying about is not right. We are committed to protecting the environment,” he said.
The firm is the subsidiary of Australian mining company Straits Resources Limited.
Earlier, villagers from Blambus, Mandin, Kanibungan, all in Kotabaru regency on Sebuku island, sent a letter to President Megawati Soekarnoputri and several ministers, protesting the environmental damage caused by BCS.
The demanded the coal firm to soon reclaim abandoned coal pits with trees. They also complained the firm hired expatriates to do jobs that can be done by locals and the firm had failed to carry out its duties regarding community development.
Ginarsa denied the firm had neglected its duties regarding community development, saying it spent US$200,000 per year for the program.
According to Ginarsa, BCS produces about 2 million tons of coal per year, between 15 and 20 percent of which are exported to countries like Japan, India, Taiwan and Malaysia. (*)