Mining projects in protected forests may continue

State Minister for Environmental Affairs Nabiel Makariem made it clear on Monday that all mining projects which occupied protected forests may continue as long as their contracts of works were obtained before the implementation of the Forestry Law No: 41/1999.

?Special for such projects we can understand because investors have spent their money. But for mining projects licensed after the implementation of the forestry law, for me and Prakoso (Minister of Forestry), the doors have already been closed,? he told reporters.

He acknowledged that many mining companies have objected the imposition of the new forestry law because they had started the projects before the law was introduced. He cited that PT Gag Nikel in Papua as an example. According to him, a compromise should be made because the company has spent a lot of money to start the project.

Makarim said that the law should be fully enforced on mining projects which were licensed after the issuance of the forestry law. ?Besides that, the exemption of those which obtained their licenses before the law is enforced should also be carried under a legal procedure,? he added.

?Not just like this, Prakosa allowed the continuation of projects without through a legal mechanism,? he said. (*)