Purnomo calls for mining firms? participation in maintaining security

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro on Tuesday stressed the importance of mining sector companies and local communities taking part in maintaining security for vital mining assets.

Securing mining assets is not the responsibility of the police and the military only, Purnomo told reporters after attending a meeting with executives of mining firms.

Also taking part in the meeting were officials from the office of Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs and representatives of the Armed Forces and National Police headquarters.

Purnomo said he discussed with the meeting participants about the development of the situation following Saturday?s bomb blast in Bali which claimed at least 180 lives and injured some 300 people. Many of them were foreign tourists.

There were fears that many foreigners, including expatriates working at mining projects in Indonesia, would leave the country in anticipation of possible new terrorist attacks.

An estimated 800 expatriates currently work at the country?s oil and gas sector alone. (godang)