KEM operation affected by haze

A helicopter carrying mining workers to gold mining sites owned by PT Kelian Equatorial Mining (KEM) in East Kalimantan could land in the company's helipad in the mining sites because of thick haze blanketing the mining area, Kompas daily reported on Monday.

KEM spokesman Kasan Mulyono said the helicopter, carrying workers from Balikpapan, was then rerouted to the capital of Kotabangun district, Kutai regency. From Kotabangun, the workers would then take a speedboat to reach Jelemug river port in Longiram district, from where they were transported to mining sites.

"Because of the haze problems, starting yesterday, PT KEM has been monitoring the level of haze in the mining site sot hat we can determine the level of the haze in the air, and its impact for our flights and also the health of our workers in this mining site," he said.

The haze affecting Kalimantan is a result of forest fires, burning of shrubs by people and also some other land clearing activities. (*)