Mining firms warned to rehabilitate ex-mining areas

By Samantha

Forestry Ministe Zulkifli Hasan has warned mining companies operating in forest areas to rehabilitate their ex-mining sites, or they will receive punishment.

"Mining companies which do not rehabilitate their former mining areas will be punished,? he said when he attended a ceremony to begin rehabilitation works at state coal mining firm PT Bukit Asam?s ex-mining areas in Muara Enim, South Sumatra recently.

According to a study conducted on Bangka Belitung island, the amount of funds spent by the government to rehabilitate former tin mining sites on the island were 100 folds the state revenues from these mining areas, he said.

Many tin mining companies on the island left their mining areas without any rehabilitation programs. As the result, many former mining areas became huge ponds.

The minister therefore called on the miners to plant useful trees in their rehabilitation programs so that they will also benefit the residents living near former mining areas.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora