Palu government to let ministry decides Poboya gold mine dispute

The Palu city administration has decided to let the Ministry of Forestry and Environment to decide on the fate of a gold mine operation in Poboya, Palu Mayoralty, Central Sulawesi Province, Media Indonesia reported on Tuesday.

Palu Mayor Hidayat was quoted as saying that the ministry will decide on the fate of the Poboya gold mine as it overlaps with protected forest areas and with concession owned by mining firm PT Citra Palu Mineral.

Hidyat said that his administration remains firm with its earlier decision of shutting down the Poboya gold mine, run by some 14 companies, not only because the mine overlaps with protected forest area, thus threatening to damage the more than 7,000-ha conservation forest area, but also amid suspicion that the miners have been using hazardous and toxic raw materials such as cyanide and potassium. (*)