Marunda Graha gets permit to exploit coal in Central Kalimantan
Monday, August 11 2003 - 03:47 AM WIB
Central Kalimantan provincial administration and coal miner PT Marunda Graha Mineral (MGM) have signed a contract to allow the firm to exploit coal deposit in the province?s forestry area, Antara news agency reported.
The 23,500-hectare forestry area to be leased out to MGM was located in Murung Raya regency, and the forest was now in a critical condition, governor Asmawi Agani was quoted as saying after signing the contract with MGM's president director Sukardono in Palangkaraya last week.
Aside from the new coal mine in Murung Raya, MGM now operates a coal concession in North Barito Regency, also located in Central Kalimantan. MGM has planned to commence first commercial shipment from the North Barito concession in November this year.
Meanwhile, the head of the provincial office of mining affairs, Nugroho Basuki, said the ministry of forestry had allowed the governor to sign the contract. (*)