Many miners in Jambi operate in forested areas without permits

A number of coal mining companies in Jambi have carried out mining activities in forested areas although they have not obtained a forest land-use permit from the ministry of forestry, yet, Kompas reported on Saturday.

The head of the forestry office at the Jambi provincial administration, Budidaya, said in Jambi on Friday that the mining companies continued their mining activities despite his office?s warning.

According to the forestry regulation, a mining company should first obtain a forest land-use permit from the ministry of forestry to be able to carry out mining activities in forested areas in their concessions.

?Although we have sent a warning, most of coal miners have not applied for the required forest-use permit,? he said.

The government has issued at least 100 mine concession areas in the province. But only four of the concession holders have applied for the forest-use permits. They include PT Wahana Alam Lestari which has a concession area in Tebo regency, PT Inti Tirta Prima Lestari in Sarolangon regency, and PT Chandra Jaya in Tanjung Jabung Barat.

According to the province?s forestry office, the size of forested areas included in the mine concession areas is estimated to reach about 500,000 hectares. (*)?