PTBA offers win-win solution to Lahat regent

State owned coal mining company PT Bukit Asam (PTBA) is offering a ?win-win? solution to settle dispute over the revocation of the mining permit by the Lahat regency in South Sumatra, South Sumatra-based newspaper Sriwijaya Post reported on Wednesday.

PTBA?s lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis said in Medan. North Sumatra that Lahat regent H Harunata should have talked with PTBA for a win-win solution, instead of issuing a decree to revoke PTBA?s permit and transfer the permit to another company.

The paper however did not provide details on the ?win-win? solution.

He said PTBA had invested Rp 206 billion to finance the exploration of the 24,751 hectare concession in the regency and would start exploitation activities in two years.

PTBA received a permit from the central government to develop the concession in early 1990s. After extending its exploration permit three times, the South Sumatra administration issued the permit for the company to start production activities in 2003. The following year, the provincial administration revoked the exploitation permit, which was followed by the Lahat regency?s move to issue a decree to revoke the firm?s mining permit.

The local administration court has turned down PTBA?s attempt in August to annul the Lahat regency?s decree, forcing PTBA to appeal to the higher administration court in Medan, North Sumatra.

Todung said his team was also studying the option to file a civil lawsuit against the regency. (*)