Mine-producing regencies association founded

As many as 34 regencies owning mining operations in Indonesia have established a mineral-mining association with the hopes of strengthening their negotiation over the rights to mining revenues and offset the social costs they incur.

The declaration was conducted in Bali recently with West Sumbawa Regent Zulkifli Muhadli appointed as the chairman and Mimika regent as treasurer, Mimika Revenue Office head Petrus Yumte told The Jakarta Post in Timika on Monday.

Yumte said the association was crucial to the demand for fair share of income from the mining industries in their regions.

He said Mimika regency, Papua, was home to the largest gold and copper deposits in the world, but the financial return was unfair as the regency reaped the social costs resulting from social conflicts, tribal wars, and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.(*)