Mine companies should not be regarded as "milk cow"

The head of the rural development study of the University of Gajahmada in Yoyakarta, Mochammad Maksum has said that the perception likening mining companies as "milk or dairy cow" is no longer relevant and should be eliminated.

"Within the context of regional economy, a mining company should be positioned as a partner in the regional development," he said in a seminar on community development activities of mining contractors and oil and gas companies.

The community, the government and mining companies should form a fair partnership. "Only with fair partnership and equality, a win-win solution between the three parties can be formulated together for the interest of all stake holders," he added.

In the other side, he said, many mining, oil and gas companies have adopted a centralistic development effort to ensure efficiency and cost minimization. According to him, this concept has contributed to a failure of community development programs of many mining companies or oil and gas contractors. As the consequence, it damages their long-term benefits. (*)