Officials involved in illegal mining activities in Jambi
Friday, July 28 2000 - 04:00 AM WIB
A number of senior officials at the district level in the Pelepat district of the Bungo Tebo regency in Jambi risk losing their jobs for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in the area. Their involvement was unveiled during a protest made by illegal gold miners at the local police office on Wednesday.
Sriwijaya Pos reported on Friday that the illegal miners told the police during the demonstration that they received permits from the head of the Pelepat district to carry out gold mining activities outside the area, which has been appropriated by the local government for the so called people's mining area.
The protesters refused to be called illegal miners because their activities were backed by the senior officials at the district level and also heads of villages near the mining sites.
About 12 percent of their gold production should be given to the heads of the villages, in addition to a cash payment of Rp 10 million for a hectare of mine concession. The money did not include the Rp 250,000 paid for trial activities and the Rp 100, 000 per month for month for security.
The protesters were part of illegal miners netted by the security officials during a recent operation. About 42 of their mining equipments were seized. (*)