Parliament, NGOs reject South Kalimantan coal mining plan

The House of Representatives of the Kotabaru district and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have rejected the plans of the South Kalimantan Governor Sjachriel Darham to start implementing an underground coal mining activity in Selaru, in Pulau Laut area.

The local Kapos daily quoted Kotabaru Parliament Speaker Iwan Machmud as saying that the coal mining plans would threaten the local environment.

Iwan also said that the Kotabaru administration and several NGOs as well as community leaders have earlier reached agreement to free the Pulau Laut area from any mining activity to protect its environment.(*)