Major illegal coal mining areas found in South Kalimantan

Over tens of illegal coal mines have been found in Senakin, Kotabaru regency, South Kalimantan, covering an area of over 100 hectares of land. Besides operating the mining area without permits, the coal mining companies also operate a number of ports illegally, Kompas reported on Saturday.

The daily said that most of the illegal coal miners operated modern mining equipment in their activities such as excavators and heavy trucks. Their mining areas, some located within the concession area of major coal producer PT Arutmin, are guarded with armed security men.

According to the newspaper, the illegal mining companies transport their coal through their own ports near state owned port operator PT Pelindo?s port in the area. The illegal mining companies have no problem to use their ports despite they are operated without permits.

Up to April, last month about 118 hectares of illegal coal mines have been found, with total production reaching about 4.6 million tons worth about US$115 million. Besides causing major destruction on the environment, the illegal coal miners did not pay royalty or tax to the government.

The local mining office have tried many efforts to curb the operation of the illegal coal mining but their anti-illegal mining activities are often not effective due the lack of the legal enforcement. (*)