KEM?s logistics threatened as river water level drops
Tuesday, July 16 2002 - 03:09 AM WIB
Executives of East Kalimantan-based gold miner PT Kelian Equatorial Mining (KEM) are worried that further drop in the water level at River Mahakam would seriously trouble the firm, Kompas daily reported on Tuesday.
?If our vessels can no longer go through the river and reach Jelemuk, KEM?s activities would be troubled,? said Kasan Mulyono, KEM?s communication superintendent.
KEM operates gold mines in Jelemuk district in West Kutai, East Kalimantan. The company is an affiliate of Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto.
River Mahakam?s water level had continued to drop over the past weeks, making it impossible for KEM?s logistics vessels with carrying capacity of 750 dead weight tons to reach Jelemuk. The company however had replaced them with smaller vessels.
KEM, currently producing 13.4 tons of gold annually, will end its mining operation in West Kutai in 2004 due to gold reserve depletion. (*)