Megawati signs presidential decree on mining in protected forest

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has signed a presidential decree (Presidential Decree No. 41/2004) which effectively allows 13 mining companies to resume open pit mining operation in protected forest.

The decree was signed on May 12, 2004

The 13 mining companies are:

- PT Freeport Indonesia (with some 10,000 ha mining area in Mimika, and another 202,380 ha scattered in Mimika, Paniai, Jaya Wijaya, and Puncak Jaya, all areas located in Papua Province)

- PT Karimun Granit (with some 2,761 ha mining area in Karium Island, Riau)

- PT Inco (218,828 ha located in Luwu Utara area in South Sulawesi Province; in Kolaka area, Southeast Sulawesi; and in Kendari and Morowali areas in North Sulawesi)

- PT Indominco Mandiri (25,121 ha in East Kutai, East Kalimantan Province)

- PT Aneka Tambang (39,040 ha in Central Halmahera, North Maluku)

- PT Natarang Mining (12,790 ha located in South Lampung, Tanggamus, and West Lampung areas)

- PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (29,622 ha in North Halmahera and West Halmahera, both in North Maluku)

- PT Pelsart Tambang Kencana (201,000 ha in Kotabaru, Banjar, and Tanah Laut areas in South Kalimantan)

- PT Interex Saera Raya (13,650 ha in Pasir area, East Kalimantan; and in Tabalong, South Kalimantan)

- PT Weda Bay Nickel (76,280 ha in Central Halmahera, North Maluku)

- PT Gag Nickel (13,138 ha in Sorong, Papua Province)

- PT Sorikmas Mining (66,200 ha in Mandailing, and Natal areas, North Sumatra)

- PT Aneka Tambang (14,570 ha in Kendari, North Sulawesi).(*)