Penajam Paser Utara to build coal port

The Penajam Paser Utara Regency administration in East Kalimantan is planning to develop a port in the Buluminung industrial zone that would serve shipment of the region?s key commodities such as coal.

?Construction of the Buluminung Port has been approved by the central government,? said Regent Yusran Aspar as quoted by Antara news agency Monday.

He added that to help facilitate the transport of commodities such as coal and palm oil to the port, the administration would also develop a new 40 Km road cutting through the forest.

Yusran said he has instructed the local development planning agency (Bappeda) to carry out survey and design of the planned road that would link districts of Babulu, Waru and Penajam where there are at least 20 coal mining firms.

He said that the local administration has revoked 70 IUP mining permits as the firms have failed to submit exploration report and to pay financial obligations to the government including royalty. (*)