Jember regent does know the location of gold mining in his area

Even Jember regent Samsul Hadi Siswoyo does not know the exact locations of gold and copper mining locations belonging to PT Hakman Group and PT Jember Metal that have been under fire from local figures, councilors and non-governmental organizations.

"PT Hakman Group and PT Jember Metal that has got mining licenses from the Directorate General of General Mining have not informed us about the location of their future mining activities yet," Samsul Hadi said.

But he noted that the two companies are scheduled to give presentation about their planned mining activities in Jember, East Java, before him and members of Jember Council.

News about the planned gold and copper mining in Jember had enraged locals, especially those who do not want destruction of their environment.

"If the investors' plan to mine (gold and copper) in an area of 35,000 hectares, then we will reject that plan. That total area is the same with the size of one subdistrict," said Didik Imron, head of the Jember Council's Commission D.

Didik, accompanied by Luman Yasir, chairman of the Nation Awakening Party faction at the Council, said that the total mining area would account for around 30 percent of total forests in Jember.

Meanwhile, Andi Sungkono from the Bina Alam Lestari, a non-governmental organization, said the mining acreage was too much in a crowded area like in Jember, which shares the Meru Betiri national park with Banyuwangi district whose total area only reaches 58,000 hectares. (*)