Reclamation works in Kalimantan mostly below standard

The office of the environmental impact management agency (Bapedal) in East Kalimantan said that most of the mandatory reclamation works carried out by local coal miners in the province were below the standards set by the government, Bisnis Indonesia daily reported on Tuesday.

Burhanuddin Zein, the head of the office of Bepedal in East Kalimantan, said in Samarinda on Monday that many coal miners had not even reclaimed their mining areas, leaving many huge holes there.

According to him, the huge holes in the former mining areas have caused a serious pollution problem especially during heavy rains.

"Most of coal miners are not serious enough in doing their reclamation works. Only one or two companies conduct their reclamation works according to the environmental standards," he said.

At least 24 mining companies operate in East Kalimantan at present, with total production of 59 million tons in 2003, and about 60 million tons in 2004. (*)