Nusa Halmahera seeks leasing permit
Thursday, August 26 2004 - 02:42 AM WIB
PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals has become the first company to apply for a leasing permit to operate from the ministry of forestry to operate its mine concession in Maluku, Bisnis Indonesia reported
Minsiter of Forestry Prakosa said in Jakarta on Wednesday that the application for the leasing permit for Nusa Halmahera was being processed. "But the permit will be only given to areas which are rich in mineral deposits," he said.
Nusa Halmahera and 12 other major mining companies have been recently allowed to resume their exploration activities in forest conservation areas after being halted following the issuance of the new forestry law in 2002 which prohibits open-pit mining operations in protected forests.
The resumption of their activities gained approved from the parliament recently but with some restrictions. The companies should for example seek for a leasing permit from the ministry of forestry to carry out mine operation in the protected forests. (*)