Mining areas in protected forests can be rehabilitated: Official

Suyartono, the director of the technical division of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said that former mining areas located in protected forests or natural reserve areas could be rehabilitated and regain function as water catchment area.

He said the reclamation works of ex-mining sites in the protected forests could be done according to the environment protection programs used by mining companies operating in such areas.

He was speaking to respond the criticism of a number of non-governmental organizations which said that the government's decision to allow the resumption of the operation of 13 mining companies in protected forests would seriously damage the function of the forests as water catchment areas because reclamation of the mining areas would not be able to return their original function.

Suryatno said that each company allowed to operate in protected forests should have acceptable programs to return back the function of the protected forests in their former mining areas. If their environment protection programs did not meet the minimum standards set by the government, they would not be allowed to resume their activities, he said. (*)