Local govt calls PT Antang to suspend coal mining

The local Hulu Sungai Selatan regency administration in South Kalimantan had recently sent a letter to coal mining firm PT Antang Gunung Meratus to temporarily suspend its operation amid alleged violation of various rulings and environmental destruction, the local Banjarmasin Post daily reported Friday.

Several legislators have earlier accused Antang of violating local administration rulings including by cooperating with a local cooperatives to allow the company to transport its coal products using public roads.

Legislators, who recently visited the company, also said that Antang had violated its mining license.

But the paper said that Antang seemed to disregard the regent letter, as the company continued to assign local cooperative to transport its coal products.(*)