Mining conflicts hit Lahat, excavator destroyed

Land dispute and other conflicts between mining companies and locals are certainly not the monopoly of rich natural resources provinces such as Kalimantan and Riau. It also takes place in the small village of Kemikang, the district of Merapi, Lahat, South Sumatera.

At least an excavator had been destroyed in the village as the locals protested mining activities in their area, Sriwijaya Pos daily reported on Wednesday.

The local authority has asked several small firms to stop their mining activities in the area until their differences with the local residents are settled. But the companies unheeded the appeal and continued their operation.

The locals are angry because the mining activities have damaged their environment and some of the miners also carried out their operation in the villagers' property.

The daily did not mention what kinds of minerals they were hunting for. But the companies claimed that the have permits to mine the C-class mineral resources such as sand, stones and bauxite. (*)